Vineland N.J.

26. Aug. 1863

 

My dear Friend Mrs. Weston—

                                                            I wrote you recently, in reply to yours announcing Mr. Weston's return and illness. Fifteen minutes ago—a letter from Friend Wallace announces the decease of George W. Weston. Here I am, in the P.O.—with this afflicting news before me, & yet I cannot forbear saying a word to you. And what shall it be? I may not write legibly or intelligibly—but I have mingled feelings of regret, remorse—slightly tinged with with indignation. regret—because if I had foreseen this sad / event, I should not have left the work till now:—remorse for George was as a friend & brother to me: indignation—for I cannot escape the feeling that there is something terribly wrong in the attention paid to our soldiers: why should such hale men as John Schuyler & friend W—be cut off so unceremoniously?

 

            But, this is no time to complain. I think it is quite likely if I had been at the funeral, I should have made injudicious remarks—I will console myself that it is best I was not there.—Of course this is so sudden to me—& as I know so little of the circumstances of Georges death—& of your present condition, I may have nothing appropriate to / say. For myself, the old humdrum about the "welfare of the deceased" I have nothing to say, George is well off—of that I have not the shaddow of a doubt. If honesty patriotism & straight forward manliness will not make a safe death—nothing will.

 

            But how about you? are you well? and the children? We want to hear from you when able to give full particulars of Georges death & previous condition. Did he converse much? Friend Wallace wrote but a mere word.

 

            We shall be anxious to hear from you. This cutting into ones heart by such inroads as the death of Graham & friend Weston makes life look suspicious.

 

            But we will make the most of it. I hope you are cheerful & hopeful. Excuse the want of consolation in this—for I feel the need of comfort myself.

 

            Can I do anything for you? Speak freely—

 

Truly yours as ever

C. B. Campbell

& Phebe of course

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