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Fort Stevens DC January 17th 1864
I received yours of the 11th (..) yesterday and will try and write a
few lines in reply, although I don't feel much like it this evening, I
am truly sorry to hear of your uncle Nelson sickening, and hope he will
recover, I would like to see him. I hope that "Grand Master"
will not call him from "labor in earth" just yet. I knew of
no reason why (
) could not come into this, it is not full yet, but
we expect it will be this week and perhaps he will get in after all. You
take a different view of my being a soldier for life than I thought you
would, you talk as though I could never see Shoreham again if I was a
soldier. Yes I believe I have friends in Vt. My mother, and sister, live
there, and I knew they are, but I have doubted weather I had any others
even in Shoreham, but if I had one as you say you think I have I am very
glad and will surely go and see him (or her) when I get there so this
is no way for me to find out what that "dream once" except to
go there why wouldn't you or Julia tell me when I was there. Will you
promise to tell me all about it and to answer me one other question only
if I will come than this winter: did you say yes? I am glad we found out
that I am engaged as I knew nothing about it before, I believe this is
not the first time that such a thing has happened without my knowledge,
will you tell me when you got your news: I do not care very much about
it no one need[s] to be ashamed to be engaged to her by perhaps she would
not like it very well if she knew this was such a report. I (assure
)
you that I shall not be engaged for some little time yet, not tell I go
to let anyway. The weather has been quite cold here for some time but
is a little warmer nowadays, the principal business is to (desill) the
new recruits. There is no news here that would particularly interest you,
quite a number of comingsins. Have lately been received in this segt.
Among other I received one as first lieut. Am going to the city to be
mustered tomorrow. Now if you were there I would stay in the evening and
visit you perhaps. The major is well as usual, so is Walter, and nearly
all the old Boys, the recruits many of them have the measles. My nephew
has got them. I am glad you have a new minister, hope he is better than
the one that was there when we left. Thank you for "the kiss"
and here are lots in return. I suppose that is the only way you will let
me kiss you know as I cannot spare my moustache. Write soon please
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