A D 1 

July the 30^th

Camp near James river

 

Dear Wife

i take my pen in hand to try to write a few lines to you hoping that they may find you in good health i have been very sick since i wrote to you before but i am getting better fast i got your welcome letter a few days ago but i was to weak to answer it till today My limbs have been so weak i could not hold anything in my right hand and i could hardly walk though i have not been bedfast but sick enough to be i wished often to be with / you i cannot get a furlough they are stopped. i am glad to hear that you enjoy yourself you must have good times altogether i suppose Richard enjoys his farm i hope him great prosperity and long life he has a good farm

 

Sim Hiles has just come to camp a few minutes ago he looks firstrate he has acted as foolish as i did to go home and take a wife i am very sorry that i have left one to mourn after me but i hope that you will forgive me for it i will try and do better in the future if i am spared to come back My affection for you is as strong now as ever and hope it may remain 

 

So I have not much news to write only we are ordered to be ready to move in an hours warning but we do not know where We have had a new clothes and tents lately so we were getting fixed but that is the way we have been served all the time About the time we would be fixed all right we had to leave but i hope it will not last long but we must be patient Well my hand begins to shake and the old pen will not write i am afraid you cannot read such scribling as this i must close i wrote a letter to you about ten / days ago i wanted you to send me a few dollars for i have such a poor appetite that i cannot scarcely eat the strong meat and hard crackers if i had money i could get tea and bread and potatoes i am expecting a letter evry day from i am wondering that father do not answer my letters sooner

                                                                                               

direct

Washington DC

 

            Give my best respects to all your family and my parents and sister and all the folks and you my truest love forever from your affectionate Husband William Rees

           

Mary Rees      

 

Write soon

very soon

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