Weather is pleasant I worked hard all day at Headquarters this being Issue day and Brain is taken to the Hospital with smal pox I work also in his place the Natives and almost everybody is preparing to have a good time New Jear eve all send Mail home this day Bands are out at Night and playing a hot time in the old town to night and it was too there are many Rumors afloat and Excitement runs high among the troops and Officer are as bad the number of sick are the same this ends the old year of 1898
Weather is pleasant. I worked hard all day at headquarters this being issue day. [Frank] Brain is taken to the hospital with small pox. I work also in his place. The natives and almost everybody is preparing to have a good time New Year’s Eve. All send mail home this day. Bands are out at night and playing “There’ll Be A Hot Time In The Old Town Tonight” and it was too. There are many rumors afloat and excitement runs high among the troops and officers are just as bad. The number of sick is the same. This ends the old year of 1898.