Alvah, Sarah's cousin, writes to Joseph about the terrain of his battery's campsite near Chattanooga. He then describes the harsh experiences of the Union soldiers located in the same area the past winter, when rations were extremely limited. Alvah also discusses the commonality of prostitution in the South, claiming that some women are so impoverished, that they will trade sex for a "pocket full of Salt or Coffee." His battery is supposedly pursuing Confederate General John Bell Hood, but Alvah says their duties are not very burdensome. Alvah asks Joseph about his political campaigning and notes that there is very little talk of politics among his fellow soldiers.