June 6th

To day as usual church parade and after that I went for a short walk. After dinner Captain Winder, Brisebois, Jackson and myself had our horses saddled and went for a short ride. We went out on the prairie. Old Satan was looking well and feeling well – the evening was fine and we enjoyed our ride very much. I dare say when you have read my last letter that you will wonder what has become of the flower I said I had inclosed for you. I was having it pressed in a book in the Hospital – and kept your letter open over night in order to put in the flower in the morning – but I was called in such a hurry to send away my letters that I had to close it and send it away at once. I will send it to you in this whenever it goes.

June 2nd

The day before yesterday Denny and I started down the river – the sun was shining bright and a gentle breeze was blowing. But before we got many miles down the river storm clouds began to make their appearance and when about one o’clock we stopped for lunch it rained hard – we were pretty well protected by some brush but still we got very wet. We killed one goose and one duck and found several hawks’ nests two of which we robbed. We got down to Kipp at nine in the evening very wet, very cold and thoroughly tired out. We had great difficulty towards the latter end of the journey in making our way avoiding rocks and shoals – owing to the darkness. At one time I thought we had passed Fort Kipp. The whole of the next day it rained hard and we had to stay at Kipp. The day passed drearily enough – our horses came down for us but owing to the storm we thought it advisable to remain at Kipp the next.

Yesterday [ ? ] we started bright and early and arrived here about half past nine. I found my room in a most dilapidated state. My bedroom was all right except the dressing table which was covered with mud and water. In my sitting room and library, my table was one mass of mud and water. Some books and papers nearly ruined. Fortunately I had a lot of Nations [ ? ] over my books with the writing [ ? …several lines illegible ] effects of the wetting in these sheets.

All the other rooms were pretty nearly as bad – the Hospital on one side suffered but the tarpaulins saved it from much damage. There must have been more than an inch of water on my floor. Today we have had some nice little showers too but I had everything stowed away so nothing more got wet. I must now say good night and good bye again. Your own Barrie

May 25th

The wind has been blowing a perfect hurricane all day. I did not go up the river. I thought it would be useless trying to fish in such a wind. I attended to my duties in the Hospital and then came over to my room and was lying down reading diligently when I heard the bugle sound for ‘Orderly Sergeant’. I wondered what was up, and then hearing some running outside I got up and saw a crowd of men in the middle of the square. I rushed out and found that Glen had come in with a Mail.

I had three letters from your darling self, dated Ap. 5th/7th/9th, 3 from home, one from Covernton and one from Abbott – a variety of papers and some books. I must read them over again before I answer them. So for the present Good night.