Letter addressed to Miss Maggie L. McCalmont, Walker P.O., Centre Co. PA.  Postmark is from Cockeysville, Md. Oct 13.  Envelope is plain and mustard yellow.

Camp Foster, Sunday, Oct 12

Dear Sister,

I sit down this pleasant Sabbath afternoon to let you know how I am getting along.  We are getting along very well, we are having a very pleasant time.  The weather is quite cool today.  It was very warm ever since we come till Saturday it got quite cool.  There is a first rate set of boys in this company.  they are all very friendly.  I have got acquainted with them all, they all have plenty to eat.  This camp is situated in an open field.  They have got first rate officers.  I suppose before this time you have heard the Rebels making a raid in and taking Chambersburg.  The report came to camp on Saturday morning.  We were all quite surprised when we heard it.  Bob and I were out calling at a farm house and when we came back, we heard it.  Then there was quite a stir in camp, the orders from the Colonel was that that the rebels had invaded Pa. and that the regiment was wanted in Harrisburg.  There was quite a stir in camp, I tell you.  Then there was an order come to cook 2 days rations and distribute all the ammunition among the men and be ready to march in an hours notice.  So they all got ready, cooked their rations, and packed their knapsacks, waited for orders.  Well, so us boys thought we were in a fix and we would have to get out of it the best way we could.  Lieutenant Bibe said we should go right along so we were all ready to go.  Well, next morning the orders were countermanded.  We were to stay where we were.  There is no preaching here today so all us cousins took a walk out across the country about 4 miles.  We had a very pleasant time.  Then we came back to camp and got our dinner and we all thought we would write a letter.  This country is very hilly.  It looks like the ridges in Bald Eagle.  I seen one pretty girl today.  There is some very poor farming done here.  The farmers sow their wheat when they work their corn.  I hope you have got that peach butter made.  We have first rate eating here since we opened them trunks.  Sometimes, I eat with one mess and sometimes with another.  These tents of Uncle Sam's is almost too small for me to live in.  Last night, there was 6 of us slept in one and I tell you we filled it up pretty well.  But for all, we slept very nice.  I don't know when we will get home but I will be home as soon I get ready if the rebels will let me past.  I would like to see around a little more.  Jim Beck and I are both writing on one trunk and it goes hard but news is dear.  Don't be uneasy about me, will try and take care of myself.  there is 5 or 6 boys around me and I must quite.  I will be home some time this week.  

From your brother, John J. McCalmont

Notes on persons in letter:

Maggie McCalmont is Margaret Laird McCalmont, my 2nd great grandmother and youngest child of William Scott McCalmont.

Jim Beck is Maggie and the letter writer's first cousin.  He wrote a letter to this family before his cousin, John McCalmont, joined the Army encouraging him to join.  Apparently, John McCalmont was able to join his regiment.

John J. McCalmont-only son of William S. McCalmont and Maggie's brother.