(1) Arkadelphia, Dr. Bone to Minerva: his regiment is hearing encouraging news from the seat of war that the Confederates are winning battles and capturing prisoners and forts, their military post is self-sufficient--little Negro boys make cartridges and boxes, the new Conscript Law will enable her father to stay in Texas and fight only for home protection if needed, everyone has a good appetite and plenty of food.

(2) Somewhere in Arkansas, Dr. Bone to Minerva: his regiment was awakened at 2 a.m. to march to an unknown place for an unknown reason, they marched in rain towards Des Arc and camped at Hickory Plains, their baggage wagons did not arrive so they had no dry clothes or tents or food, they hear that the enemy is within 25 miles but he thinks this is incorrect because his troops (numbering 15 - 20 thousand) have not been supplied with cartridges, their wagons arrived finally.