East Villa Dec 10 /62

Dear Bro,

I have been purposing to write to you for a great while but have never got it accomplished until the present time. How do you like soldering by this time? Pretty well I guess. I had some notion of enlisting but they did not want to let me go so I thought I would not go I am going to Grammar School. I like it pretty well I will be freshman next year if I can go on I dont know whether I can or not If I cant I had some notion of going out west with Charly McGregor he expects he will have to go hom about Christmas as his mother cannot send him longer so he appears to think he gets along very well here he has a great many friends in College he is a first rate fellow. Wes is in the army he is assistant surgeon of the 56th reg [Co?] Vol

I have not time to write much more as I only have a half sheet to go upon

No more at present from

your affectionate Bro
Charly