Corydon July 6th 1863.
Dear Cousin John,
                           I received your
letter a week ago and would have
answered it sooner, but I have
been waiting for your photograph
but which has not yet made its
appearance.  For the last week or
so we have had awful warm
weather I would assuredly wish
for rain if it was not right in
the midst of harvest.  Is it much
warmer down in Dixie than it is
up here in Yankeedom?  If it is I
do really pity you soldiers. There is
a great deal of sickness around now
There are three in town not expected
to live and several others sick but
not dangerous.  The small pox is in
the country I think that is a very
dangerous disease to get in a town.
How did you spend last Saturday
the glorious fourth!! I spent part of
the day over at the fair grounds.  We
had a celebration.  A lawyer (a young
gentleman by the way, though I am
sorry to say he is lame) in town
made such a good speech. He is an
old boarder of ours, and a student
of fathers and a particular friend
of mine.  There were some "butternut"
girls at the speaking. They said
they would not invite him to dinner
if he never got any thing to eat. His
speech did not exactly suit their
sentiments in regard to the war.
  News came yesterday and last
night of a grand victory we had
in Pensylvania. I expect to hear
before very long of the capture of
Richmond. The Lieut Col of Cousin
Ethans regiment is either killed or
wounded.  Cousin Ethan's name was
not in the list so I suppose he
came off safe.  The Maj of the 3rd cavalry
was killed.  I have a great many
friends in that and am quite
anxious to hear from there.  Relia
is just going to start riding.  We
have got the nicest horse.  A major
of the 17th captured him down south
and sent him home, and father
is keeping him till he come home
His name is Jerrie.  I suppose you
heard of the Guerrilla raids into
Indiana.  The second was a false
report but the first was not.  They
were all captured down at Leaven
worth, about 15 miles from here.
Father went down there but arrived
too late to participate in the fight
I don't think the secesh will try
It again soon after having met
such a warm reception.
  John are you in the same Company
cousin James is?  I believe I direct
all my letters different and yet
you get them all. Please tell me
in your next how to direct them.
  Our little Contraband has gone
in the army but he is at home
now on a furlough.  I hardly know
what we will do with out him
He is so much help.  I suppose
before long there wont be any men
at all in town, so many are going
in the six months service.  Well I
expect I had better stop or my
letter will be too late for the mail
  Excuse the hasty way in which
it is written.  Give my love to
Cousin James.
                  Ever your cousin
                  Attia Porter