Isaac does not believe his command has enough troops to protect the extensive country they occupy. He asks Jinnie to have his sister order a new coat for him in preparation for the upcoming winter.
Isaac describes a horrific and eventually pointless expedition that his command endured, resulting in awful deaths of some of his fellow soldiers. He does not think the war will find any rest during the winter.
A Yankee spy was shot the day prior. Grant, Sherman, and Stonemen have all faced defeat, much to Isaac's joy. Isaac and many of his fellow soldiers are in tattered clothing.
Isaac has yet to hear from the board in Richmond about a potential promotion, and he does not believe he will get it. He is concerned about the dwindling numbers of his command.
Isaac visited with his friends Mr. and Mrs. Kettle. He heard back from Richmond, and acknowledges that it will be a while before he receives a promotion.
Isaac is very weary and in need of new clothing, which he is hopeful of getting. Isaac's friend Archer wrote him, saying he requested that Isaac be appointed the surgeon for Colonel Giles's regiment. Isaac still mourns the death of his brother…
Issac's regiment will be getting horses and serving as infantry for General Imboden. Isaac receives notice that they are going on an expedition with an unknown destination.
Isaac updates Jinnie on the injuries and deaths of their friends, including the death of Alfred. The 62nd has very few men left. They will not be fighting, though they are in the line of battle.
Isaac tells Jinnie about his desire to be in the army after reaching Camp Washington and meeting so many nice gentlemen and seeing many friends there. He hopes the war will be over soon so that he may be with Jinnie.
Still in the hospital, now joined by friends Dick and Alvin, Isaac requests that his sister's servant is sent down with Alfred to serve Isaac in the army.
Issac updates Jinnie on the status of their badly hurt friend Alfred, as well as the final numbers of losses from the previously mentioned battle. He is anticipating being joined by George Briggs.
The 62nd suffered a great loss in Winchester, with 2,000-3,000 kills and wounded. Isaac expresses how horrible he thinks war is, even during the excitement of a battle.
Isaac delayed his march to Mt Crawford one day in order to visit the Waughs family in Staunton. He believes his command will march a long way soon, to an unknown destination.
Isaac's command has been fighting in battles for the past five days, but he made it out unhurt. He describes the horror of the battle, as his side lost up to 600 injured or killed.
Isaac denounces the author of an article claiming that Imboden's command, which Isaac is a member of, was responsible for the failures at Winchester. He asks about the members of his family and again complains of not hearing enough news from them.
Isaac asks Jinnie and his family to write him more often. His command is advancing on the enemy near Mt Crawford. Isaac comments on how the enemy has destroyed the country and burnt nearly everything to the ground.
Enduring many enemy attakcs, Isaac's troop made it to Williamsport under orders to guard a wagon train. His suffered great loss, having 80 soldiers killed and wounded.