Phil. Feb 19^th/62.

 

Friend Dewces

                        I received your letter. I need not say how glad I was to hear of your safety, yesterday afternoon, and have been intending to answer all day but have not been able to get a moments leisure until now. I am sitting opposite my window with the most dismal prospect outside, if dull rainy weather is dismal, that could be imagined; so if my letter proves uninteresting please just please blame it on the weather./

 

I too have called you “my friend” for I agree with you. I now feel perfectly at ease so long as I am not sufficiently acquainted with a gentleman to drop the Mr. in addressing him, but pardon me perhaps I should say in the present case Lieutenant. I never once remembered, when you were here, that I should give you your title; but thought of it only when it was too late to excuse myself.

 

                        I am sorry to hear of your being so much indisposed. I expect you remembered home then almost too vividly. I hope you will attend the ball, have your share of the ladies and enjoy it very much

 

                        I shall expect you to give me a full account of all the proceedings, as I am quite anxious to know how a Camp entertainment is conducted; I think I should/ enjoy it more than one of our ceremonious city parties.

 

                        I was going out this evening but the weather has prevented me. I thought this morning that we were going to have a fine day, but alas for my hopes; it seems as if the sun had forsaken us. In the last six or seven weeks it has rained or snowed almost incessantly.

 

                                                                                                Monday, notwithstanding the storm, a large croud gathered around the newspaper office, and eagerly awaited the telegraph news as it came laden with victory. The extra Ledgers issued soon bore the news over the city and the people were rejoicing everywhere. Today guns were fired in honour of Gen. Grant’s victory. Was it not a glorious one?

 

                                                                                                            You need not fear/

tiring me with the details of Camp life, for it is all very entertaining and new to me.

 

                                                            Last evening we went to hear a lecture to Sunday school teachers delivered by the Rev Mr. Brooks, his earnestness is such that one can not help listening to him even if unwilling—and then he chides so gently and in so much love that the rebuke is hardly discernable except so far as it make one see their own imperfections. There were a good many persons present for such an occasion, but scarcely a sound could be heard so wrapt were his hearers. Mother and sister send their kindest regards. With best wishes for your safety and happiness I am

                                                                        Your Friend—

                                                                                    Amelia

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