Transcription:
such conversation. You have no idea how abominable it was and yes when I expressed my abhorrence such language Byron laughingly
said Why John this is not a beginning to what you would hear in other tents. This is one of the best in the regiment After
lecturing them a few minutes upon the necessity of having the character formed and being possessed of tightly clinched principles
before being put to such a trial as a three year soaking in so horrible a mix ture Byron growing grave dropped his camp language
and declared with some emphasis that there was no danger of him. that his principles were firm as the ada- -mantine hills
I frankly expressed my opinion tha t -principles which permited what had passed in the tent tonight had better be anything
but fixed Now don't for any sake let Byron's and Dwight's moth er know what I have written for this would only make them sorrowful
and the boys angry but I do anxiously wish you would tell them to write often to them all the the time, for O it is so good
to get letters from home and then to think that scarce one good influence reaches the poor boys, how much they need the holy
influence of home, as they unfold the pages folded by a mothers or sister's hand they will forget where they are and as they
anxiously read the pure thoughts and advices in the tent corner and those not half expressed sympathy -ies which sisters and
mothers only have, tears will flow and when he next joins his companions vice will not