Engineer Depot            Washington D C

                                                                                                            March 6^th 1864

 

                        Dear Agnes

           

                        this dull sabbath morning finds me very unwell but as I am desirous of writing my regular sabbath letter to one whom I love more than any other I will write it by spells if I cannot stand it long at a time. yesterday I eat a hearty dinner and felt well until a bout three PM when my throat commenced swelling and was taken with chills after which I had a high fever lasting till about elleven PM. when I was taken very sick but did not last but a few minutes and from that time until morning I suffered from pain in my head and limbs. I have been taking medicine this morning and feel very dull too much so to/write Dear Agnes a good letter but you will not chide me will you. there is a grand Brigade review to day of our corps and to tell the truth I would just about as leave be a little sick as to be out on review. yet I would prefer anny thing els to sickness. I received your two last letters yesterday. one you had written Feb 8^th the 25 but mailed them march 3^rd though they were sometime comeing. they are thrice welcome be not afraid Dear Agnes that I will loose confidence in you or for one moment distrust you though I would dearly love to hear from you oftener than I do but if we live it will not be long before I trust we can be seated side by side and lay aside the still tongue the pen. it is just as you say Dear Agnes the army is no place to reform from evill to good I have seen more drunkenness and wickedness since I have been in the army than I ever expect to see in my whole life after I am free you perhaps have heard of a Mr Keefer who was/in the company from your place him and James were tent mates for some time he was promoted to Lieutenant and last week he and three other Lieutenants were on the steam boat that runs from Allexandra to this city. they were all drunk and insulted some ladies on board as as it happened general Slough Military govenor of the first named place was on the boat he told them to keep quiet and they attacked him but as he is a man of more than ordinary strength he striped the shoulder straps of them and when they landed at this city they were dishonorably dismissed from the service by the president now if more of the officers were served in this manner we would have more dicipline and a far better army. well my Dear Agnes I am getting quite tired and as there is no news of importance I will beg leave to close hoping very soon to hear from you my love to your good mother & Aunt. Dan and others but reserve largely for your self from your true and affectionate lover F C Miller to Agnes

 

PS my little friend has got able to visit me

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