I write to you under circumstances, different from any, that I have been under since I have been in College. I have been engaged in a "Rebellion", which has turned, out differently from, what I anticipated. Two of our class were dismissed for devilling the "Fresh;" whereupon the class (a majority) meets and sends in a petition to the Faculty, requesting them to take the two young men back; the Faculty took no notice of our petition and we stopped all duties. That evening five more of our number were summoned before the Faculty and dismissed. Yesterday at half past three Oclock the rest of the "Rebels" nine in number were summoned before the Faculty. After some debate the Faculty came to the conclusion, "that if we did not attend recitations in the morning (this morning) we might consider ourselves dismissed. Last night the class had a meeting and unanimously agreed, that, as they had pledged themselves to go off if those men were sent off, it was their duty, regardless of consequences, to leave the Hill. During the night however some of the members got scared and awoke all the others up before prayers to have another meeting. At this meeting it was concluded, as we were pressed for time, it was better to go in, which we did; but after breakfast having thought the matter seriously over we came to the conclusion that we could not possibly remain in college without violating our pledge. We therefore sent in a petition to the Faculty worded as follows,

I then packed up my trunk thinking certainly, that I would leave Chapel Hill to-day at two Oclock forever — for the Faculty told us, if we left, the dismissal would be final. Not long afterwards one of the Faculty, Dr Hubbard called on me and tried to persuade me, that a pledge given under such circumstances was not binding but with little effect. He then proposed to go and see Judge Battle and see what he thought of it. Judge thought it was not only not binding but, that if we carried it out, it would be committing a moral crime. Under these circumstances the class agreed to return to duty. Even now I dont feel right about it, I cant feel right about it, until I consult you. I hope, therefore, you will let me come home about the latter part of next week and converse with you on this subject. From want of space I have barely given you a sinopsis. Somethings, I wish to speak to you about have been left out altogether. I can testify, that Governor Swain acted towards me with great kindness during the whole trial. He seems to take a great interest in me, more so than I could have any reason to expect. I suppose you will receive a letter from him in a few days, if you havent received one ere this. What glorious news! another great victory on the plains of Manassas, which rivals in magnitude and consequences, the one fought there a little more than a year ago. Would to God, we could capture Washington City and "carry the war into the heart of Africa." Dont judge the action, I took in regard to the rebellion, too harshly until you see me face to face, as I can not possibly inform you in a letter of the particulars. There is no doubt, the whole class acted wrong from the beginning, and perhaps towards the last, but however that might be, it was a disagreeable affair throughout.