Annapolis Maryland

April 16^th 1864.

 

Dear Friend Willie.

                        I received your kind welcome letter this morning. I was glad to hear from old Westford once more. I received a paper from Nelie Fletcher yesterday. I havent had any letters from you before for more than 4 months. you said you hadnt from me I believe. I wrote you long time ago when we were in Tenn. I was wondering why you didnt answer my letters. if you havent received any of my letters you have a good reason for not answering. / I am glad we have got where letters will get to us. they will come in three days. yours came in that. we will probably stay here some time. I wish we might get a furlough. (the Regt.) I want to go home very much. they dont grant only 20 days furlough that is almost to short. if I could go and stay 15 or 20 days I would go. I would like to come down in your house and see you all. I should have liked to been there at these Levees you told about. I would like to take a part in them to. it seems you was Gen Washington I shouldnt think your hair would be hardly grey enough you could stick it in the flour. 

 

you have been to school this winter you say that is your business. I should like that for myself. I think there is not enough of it to. Well I have been to school most two years. am going now. "Uncle Sams School" he has a large school now quite a large one at Annapolis about 30,000. I think that is about enough for one teacher. General Burnside is the teacher. I like him tiptop. he will learn them to fight. dig rifle pits. do guard duty &c. &c. I have got almost sick of the school. three years will be plenty for this boy. you dont catch this child to Reenlist. "I dont see the point myself." 

 

Georgia didnt succeed very well last winter in her school did she? you said she was sick with fever. I heard about it some time ago. tell her I will go to school to her when I get home. the Institute will close for the last term at Reeds Ferry in about 2 weeks. I presume they will have an exhibition at the close. I understand they are. I wish I was where I could go to it. I will get me a mule I guess some way and go. Wayland Balch you say is in Westford. I havent seen him for a long time. he was pretty sick last fall. I wish I could get my discharge I have got entirely sick of soldiering. it is a hard life to live. Fred you say has really enlisted wonder what Regt. he will get in. I wish he would come out in this camp. if you see him tell him to come out in the 35^th Mass. it is in our Brigade. Page 1^st

 

My letter is most full you can see therefore I must bring to a close. I will answer your letters sooner. I hope they will come more prompt. please excuse mistakes &c. give my love to all the folks with a share yourself. give my respecks to Nelie when you see her. just for me for [?]. please write soon.

                                                                                   

From Friend

Edmund P. French

 

[margins]

Give my respecks to Wayland. tell him I am well.

 

I suppose you have commenced Farming before this havent you? it is splendid weather here warm.

 

Direct your letters to Annapolis Maryland 2^nd Brigade 2^nd Division 9^th Army Corps.

 

I have sent for a box to come from home. I am going to have boots, shirts, stockings &c.

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