William Cosgrove wrote this letter in Nashville to his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Bowers, in Mount Vernon (Knox County) Ohio on January 31, 1864. He tells them that he feels that it is his duty to write since he hasn't heard from them recently, and urges them to write to him soon. He mentions having heard from his immediate family in Ohio, and reports that all is well with them. The bulk of his letter deals with military matters. He begins with his cousin Charles's death in Memphis and his own Battery's move to Nashville, where they apparently have little to do. He also speaks of his transfer between Batteries, mentioning that he likes the officers in Company G and thinks that he will finish out his term of service there. Finally, he speaks of conditions in camp, including a recent outbreak of smallpox and his personal troubles with rheumatism. He also mentions a furlough that he has been promised in the spring, saying that he will come and visit in Mount Vernon if it is granted to him.