Stanton Gen. Hospital

Washington, D.C. Feb'y 16^th 63.

 

Friend Minnie,

                        Your letter of Jan'y 26^th came to hand a few days since, and I was much pleased to hear from you. You seem to have some doubt wheather I am fooling or mean Friendship. I do not blame you in the least. But I assure you that I am in earnest and mean Friendship. I do not know who it was that told me your name and address. I asked a young fellow, qite a good looking fellow, stout built, I think they called him Bennett from Fall River. He said they called you Minnie Sherman. So I supposed you would get a letter from me with out every one in town seeing it. mishaps / will happen in all families and one has happend in Ours already But as I have the correct name now I will try to guard a gainst any mishap in future. You shall have my "carte de visite" as soon as I get discharged from the Hospital and get a little color in my face. I shall also want yours in return or you may send one in your next if you have one handy. I have been rather unfortunate this winter. I was sent down to Fredericksburg just before the Battle and laying out in the cold snap and rainy spell we had I took cold and have had a Fever. Have been in the Hospital almost four weeks. But shall soon be well enough to go on duty again. I thought that after going through the Paninsular campaign with M^cClellan I was / that I was tough enough to stand any thing. But the trouble was I have been in Washington ever since the Battle of Antietam. About Four months under cover took the toughness out of me. Write as soon as you receive this and until I hear from you I remain,

 

Your ever,

true Friend

Henry B. Cook

Washington

D.C.

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