Ruebn writes to daughter and son-in-law about day-to-day life in camp. He explains that he is a drummer in his regiment. He believes that his regiment will soon be sent west to face Indians while his son, George, and his regiment will soon be engaged with the Confederate army.

Ruebn speaks of his frail health which has become worse since he experienced a debilitating fall. Because of his health, he has asked for a discharge, but he expects to be at the fort another four or five weeks. He informs them that Amelia is hear keeping house for me. He expresses concern for his son, whose regiment is just miles from the Confederates. He expects a fight for George's regiment any day.

Ruebn states that he received a thirty day furlough to return to Rich Valley with Amelia. He also notes that all of the families will be forced out before the season of campaigning begins in the spring. In addition he sends pictures.

Written during the Battle of Shiloh, while serving in General Pope's division, Ruebn ruminates that he may not get the military discharge that he applied for.

Still suffering from ill health, Ruebn has not been with his regiment for two months. He writes that he is still waiting for a discharge.

Still waiting for word on his discharge, Ruebn expresses that his primary concern is for his family in Minnesota.

Ruebn states that he is now very afraid for his son, especially after hearing of a battle near Corinth. It would kill me if George was killed, he writes. He expresses his dismay that his other son, Nelson, has enlisted, and he remarks that the family is now spread throughout the nation.

Enjoying better health, Lanphear is now camped near Washington. He writes mainly of his old friends who are with him at Camp Casey.

Ruebn writes generally of his camp, which is on a large swell of land, just east of the city. He speaks again of his friends and of sharing guard duty at the camp on the east side of Capital Hill.

Ruebn writes that he cannot leave his one-acre farm. He tells Eliza that if she and her husband come and live with him for four years, he will deed half of it to her. He stresses that the land's value is expected to increase, and he speaks of his plans to grow wheat on it for the time being.

George informs his sister that he is now married and his wife is living with him in Glencor. He states that he joined the army because he felt it his patriotic duty to preserve the Union and save it from the rebels. He also gives a description of his meals and dietary habits.

George corrects the misconception that had been engaged in a battle at Gallatin, as newspapers had reported. Instead he says that Perryville had been the latest battle in which he had witnessed action. He discusses his brother Nelson's death and informs his family of rumors that more Indian wars are expected in Minnesota.

Mary writes that she has just learned of Nelson's death. She wants to know how long he was sick and why he died. She writes that he died in a Noble cause. She says that she cannot leave Baltimore. She writes that Frank is now ward master at the hospital and that part of his charge is to see that every thing is done right. She laments that the war is causing a great deal of mourning all over the world.

This unidentified person writes about a recent bought with the measles. He or she writes about moving throughout the mid-west and attempts to talk members of the family in coming west with them.