Charles writes to Addie from camp in Culpepper Court House, Virginia, of his regiment's busy preparations and, thanks to Addie's letters, his peaceable state of mind. He reports that he has formally asked Addie's father for her hand in marriage, and enthusiastically quotes her his positive reply (though with the caveat "unless that I shall learn of some dishonor attached to you, or her"). He apologizes to "his Queen" for making the request without telling her in advance. Changing the subject, Charles goes on to defend McClellan's tactics, stating that he has recovered from a momentary disappointment in the General, and predicts that England will not intervene on the Confederate side because of the fact of a bad grain crop, along with the threat of Irish and Canadian rebellion and French retaliation. Charles avers that he is prepared to give his life for the cause of Union, but with Addie's prayers on his side, God shall protect him. He praises Addie for firmly disciplining Miss Lizzie. In closing Charles recounts a dream wherein he feels a "soft, warm hand upon his brow", enters a curtained chamber, and shares a passionate embrace and kiss with his beloved. The romantic scene ends in slapstick when Charles wakes suddenly, treading on a comrade's toes, with a "great big bug [falling] upon my nose." "I feel that loving kiss still -- so warm and genial," he writes. "Wasn't it a funny dream?" He says he has enclosed a flower he picked on the battlefield.

    Dont you think I keep my
promises well? I did not intend to allow
twenty four hours to elapse after I wrote that
short letter, ere I answered your two letters in
full, but Burns has quaintly, yet truthfully
said --

The best laid plans of mice and men
Gang aft aglee.

   What with guard duty, reviews, inspections
&c., our time has been completely occupied, ever
since we came to this camp.

   I have been cogitating this morning on vari-
ous subjects, but invariably my thoughts revert
to Ohio, and it is not difficult for you to con-
jecture to what point, so I thought would
have a few moments chat with the immediate
object of my affections. When I recieved
your darling letters just after the battle, my
heart was inexpressibly lightened, and I felt more

   While we were at Alexandria, I wrote a
letter to your Papa, asking his consent to our
union at any time you might specify, and I
recieved a reply which made me very happy.

   He says "If it is your and Addie's wish to connect
your destinies for life, you shall have my best
wishes and approval, unless that I shall learn
of some dishonor attached to you, or her."

   Ought I not to be happy, after recieving a
reply like that? Do you wonder, my own,
why I took such a course without informing
you? I scarcely know myself, unless it was
that I might have the pleasure of telling you. my-
self, that he[ not] is not opposed to our union

   Have I your pardon, my Queen, for so palpable
a wrong? Now that there is no obstacle inter-
vening, there remains nothing but for you to
denominate a day to consumate our union
I know my darling that it was your request

   You ask my opinion of McClellan and his
movements. Really that is a very difficult[ y] question
to answer; however, I will give you my mind.
Now I have ever loved McClellan with all his
strategy and his faults, and it grieves me deeply
to learn of the reverses he sustains from time to
time. But I feel assured that it is no fault of
his. Only look at the disadvantages under which
he has labored. He had a magnificent army when
he landed at Newport News, and he reduced York-
town much quicker than any of his many persecutors
could have done it by an assault, and carried up
his advantage until he reached the very face and front
of the most formidable defences of modern times, and
requested reinforcements. These were denied him (until
too late.) and he was forced to assume the defensive

   At last, despairing of aid, either by direct rein-
forcements or cooperation from the Rappahannock
by McDowell, he was forced to make that most
difficult movement of all -- to change his base
by a flank movement in the face of an enemey --
and this at a time when the rebels where strongly
reinforced and greatly outnumbered him.

   Notwithstanding the fact that the enemy were
defeated in each of the six days battles, he was
forced to hasten on toward the James river, or he
would be left as bad as at first: andI say
boldly, that those who condemn McClellan for the
course purused by him on the Peninsula, are un-
qualified enemies to the cause of the Union -- pro-
vided, they know the circumstances. I confess
that for a time, my faith in him began to waver,
but when I closely examined the reord, I felt
more confidence than ever.[ It is my opinion
that he intends to join Pope's army and make a
direct attack upon the left flank of
Richmond.]

"Corn (not butter)
is king.)"

    Ireland will surely revolt and throw off the iron
yoke, and France will improve the[ chance and inflict the] long delayed
revenge for their defeat at Waterloo. No! no! Do not
fear. England is but too glad to remain across the
sea and insult us, but is too cowardly to attack
us. I think she will have her hands full to keep
Canada under her thumb. I am daily expecting to
hear that the long smouldering fires[ will] have
broken out, and Canada declared her independence.
Let it be so. -- we will have a powerful ally on
our own shores, and England will tremble.

   And when I say you are one of the best[illeg.]
living girls, I say so from a deep, firm conviction
of truth and justice -- nay do not smile, I am a
good reader of character, and my estimates seldom
fall short.

   My darling, I admire your patriotism
but I could not say amen to your sacrificing
your life, should I fall. Would it not be wrong?
You know I enlisted to defend my country -- with
my life if needs be, and should I fall, and our
country be saved you should live and enjoy the
fruit of our -- ofmy labor. But I have passed
through fires unharmed, while my comrades fell
around me, and is not that allpowerful God
able to still protect me -- while you pray for me [unclear: ?]
Hewill do it.

   "Good for you" -- the firmness you display[ ed]
in punishing Miss Lizzie will be of immense
advantage to you hereafter, as you will find.

   I have not yet heard from Hallie. I
read in the papers that the regiment was
ordered to report at Columbus on the 25^th
of this month, but do not know whether they have gone or not.

   Where is Dora? Did my letter offend
her? If so, kiss her once for me, and ask her to par-
don me, will you not. Speaking of "kisses"
reminds me of my dream last night. My bed
was very hard and I was quite restless, and
I had just sunk into a troubled sleep when I
felt a soft hand upon my forehead, I instantly
awoke, the room -- it was a pretty chamber -- was
light, but no one was to be seen. I hastily
attired myself, and the light expired. I then
lay down upon my bed and closed my eyes
in deep thought. Scarcely had I done so, when
I felt that same soft, warm hand, on my

"I came -- I saw -- I"

   I send you a little flower that I
picked upon the battlefield
while the cannon burned and
the shells were bursting. It
was a very pretty one -- of a bright
pink and blue. It grew
upon a creeping vine.

   Do you know the name
of it? -- Geo. [unclear: Moore] and
Little [unclear: Bob] Murray are at
Alexandria.