Camp Near [?]

                                                                                 April 20 1864

 

My dear Miss Nixon

                                    I  learned a few days since, with great mortification, that you had never received from me any acknowledgment of the receipt of the most interesting and valued memento of Genl Washington which you were so generous as to send me when I was in Philadelphia more than a year ago.

 

You will perhaps remember that it was sent to me only a day or two before I left the city, when my time was much occupied./

 

I intended to write to you at once, and until during the past week fully believed that I had done so, but I presume that the pressure upon my time caused me to fail to do so, and the good intention fixed itself in my mind as having been carried into effect.

 

Although I shall now repent the omission I am glad that it has been brought to my attention, that I may, even at this late day, apologize most sincerely for my neglect and assure you that it proceeded neither from any want of appreciation of your great kindness, nor from a failure to value as it merits the/memento I prize so highly    Will you, my dear Miss Nixon, pardon my long delay and accept, even now, my heartfelt thanks for the friendly feeling which induced you to bestow upon me a relic of Washington which I do now and ever shall prize as the most valuable & interesting memento I possess. That you consented to part with it for my sake I shall ever regard as one of the highest compliments  that has ever fallen to my lot. With my kindest regards to your niece

 

                                    I am most respectfully & remain your friend

                                                                                    Geo B McClellan

Miss Nixon

            Phila

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