Written from Montgomery, Alabama. Opens "My friend Gracie." Apologizes for not having answered her letter of February 12, as it was misplaced in a pigeon hole. He notes that it was received just before they began an expedition against Mobile. He writes "Since receiving that letter I have been sort of a wanderer together with the detachment of my regiment which took a part in the expedition against Mobile and Montgomery. We arrived in Montgomery the 24th day of April after having been in the field thirty five days and marched upwards of five hundred miles. All the fighting we had was before Blakely, the strong hold which defended Mobile and has hence after been called its key. While we were in the wilderness between this place and Blakely all those stirring startling events of the first twenty days of April transpired and gradually came to our knowledge thru the agency of Dame Rumor who has as many tongues in the South as any where at home. When the news of Lee's surrender came to our camp all were ready and willing to believe it and the rejoicing was great and general. The march was immediately stopped and cheer upon cheer rent the atmosphere. But when rumors of the assassination of our beloved president first came to us no one entertained a thought of its truth although the circumstances were given in full. It was all a rebel lie, a canard to dishearten federal soldiers. On the other hand the Rebels beleived the report of the death of our president but could not believe that Genl. Lee had given up their cause. So much do our wishes have the control of our belief. All agreed however that if Lee had given up the cause of the confederacy was hopeless." He thanks her for her account of the exhibition and for the interest in him as their former teacher. He suggests he may return to Rockland after his discharge, but perhaps not until the spring. He asks her to remember him to all his former pupils.

Envelope marked in ink "Montgomery, Ala. Aug 2d / 65." Addressed to "Miss Gracie D. Nichols, Rockland, Maine."