Feb 19th/62 
Dear Sister: 
 I received my box three days ago but have put off writing until I had almost forgotten that I owed you a letter. 
 Things are going on here at the same old dog trot although there is some excitement about the Fort Donelson affair.  Our reverses seem to come all in a bunch but "every dog has his day", I reckon our time will come next. 
 All of Gen. Lovings command have been ordered from here, some to  
Knoxville, Tenn., some to Manassas, the rest to Aquia Creek.  It is reported that Gen. 
 
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Smith's force from Manasses is to take his place. 
 Some of the boys have had the diptheria but are getting better.  We have had the pleasure of hearing a London minister here for the last three Sundays (the Rev. Dr. Kay).  He is the most eloquent man I ever heard.  He is lately from Europe, came through New York and heard Dr. Cheever preach there, said he had for his text the Abolition of Slavery and that during his sermon was frequently applauded by the congregation and at last it broke up in a row.  We have a very pleasant time here,  
 
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nothing to do but eat, sleep, and stand guard occasionally. 
 I went to see Mary Blair Jackson yesterday, she had just gotten here from Yankeedom, told me to tell Agg. that she might thank her stars that she got away from Parkersburg so soon.  She came from the county adjoining Wood but knew nothing about Sally being there. 
 As dinner is ready I must close so Good bye, 
Ted 
 I forgot to tell you about my eating, five of us have a lady who lives near us to cook our rations for us so we have a table to set down to and a lot of  
 
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pretty girls to wait on us and plenty of everything, coffee, butter &. Good coffee too.  Bah!  Who would drink rye. 
Ted