Written from Belfast, Maine. Opens "My Dear Gracie." Complains of going to church other than "to find out something to talk about to Uncle Kelly that will please him for he is all the time growling (if you know what that means for Yankees are very dull of comprehension) he growls all the week and sunday for a rarity, as you may guess how pleasant it is to have him around." Reports having helped butcher a cow and pig the day before and that he is unlikely to get to Rockland. He asks how it would be possible for him to visit her at the school house during the sessions, or if they were walking together and "should meet with a gentleman who has a claim on you far superior to mine then what would be the consequence my dear Pistols and Coffeee I am afraid and then how would you feel if this gentleman should shoot this Reb that you think a heap of answer me that question if you can and I will do just as you say." Is glad that Grace would have him for a skating partner, and adds in a cross-written postscript that Desire, Ida, and Maggie are there and that Ida may have read his letter before he had a chance to send it.

Envelope postmarked at Belfast, December 9, 1865. Addressed to "Miss Grace Nicholls, Rockland, ME."