Camp Harmon

Aug. 25 1862

Dear Father,

I will embrace this opportunity to let you know I have enlisted in a company for to protect our rights. I hope it will be in agreeance with your wishes. Our captain is a preacher. As for the company, it is a very moral one. S Allen, DE Bruce and myself represents the Brownlee connection. We have some very good speeches. We all eat at one table. We have a blessing and everything in order.   We camp about 2 miles from Aurora and about 10 rods from the S-BY RR.  The boys is all in good spirits. We are the _____ the best in the regiment. We will be Colonel Fremont’s bodyguard. There is about 1000 in camp now. We have a dress parade every evening. I tell you it’s nice if we get down among them rebels we will give them you had better. I have stood guard three times since I come here. I will tell you how I fixed my business. I took Gabby‘s note for what he owed me at 10. I sold my Maher for $110 at 10%. If I get killed you will get it. If I come home, I want it myself. Now it is an interest. DC Bruce has took the roommates and went back. He will be back sometime this week so he said. I want you to send them chestnuts to a C Gabby in the care of George Babcock and let Rylie Lee Patterson go now. Mind that I want you to tell me what __ __ post office address is and tell Ann to write to him to come and see me. I am only about 40 miles from Chicago. As soon as you get this, will we expect to leave here sometime next month. Now don’t delay a minute. I have to ____. my time is about up so goodbye. Give my love to all the family and friends. If I have any address me at Aurora. ____ Co in the care of E.B. Bolton Capt.

D.B. Brownlee

Aurora ___

___ ___

In the care of Ill

E.B. Boldon