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lovilest places on Earth, it is very warm, realy uncomfortable, flowers are in bloom, birds are singing in the groves a perfect Paradise on Earth. Ned is well – he enjoys this way of living finely. I never saw him so flushy before, poor Orace [1] is dead – it seems like loosing a brother to have one of the Hope boys taken away, he died very quietly & I hope is in Heaven. All communication with the rebels in the Fort is cut off. They must either starve or surrender. The [sandy?] scrape which Lucy wished to know about is still very fresh in my memory. Tell Lucy, I hope to meet her again one of these days at what time I will endeavor to tell the story much better then I can possibly do by mail. In regard to those love powders which Lucy Howard wishes me to send her – I hardly know what ansir to make, as

[1. Orace (aka Horace or Orris) Martin was born in Searsmont, the son of Simon & Ruth Martin. At the age of 16 he was living & working in Hope, as was his brother Leander; Orace died 12 Feb & Leander died 11 July 1862, both brothers were interred at Beaufort National Cemetery. There is a memorial stone for them at Oak Grove Cemetery, Searsmont, Maine.]