Fort Pennsylvania       Febuary ^th 1863

 

Dear Friend

                        Mr Edward Liveingston

After a long cilence between us I now take my pen in hand to answer your kind letter wich I received from you I whas very glad to hear that you are engoying good health as this leaves me at preasant I whas very glad to hear the news from the old helderberg once more and of all the marriages wich has been give my remembarrianc to your Sister and tell her I wish her much goy Friend I have often times thought of the times I and you have had together but I have seen a good eal of the world cince I have been hear and have been to washington and seen a very fine yonge lady I wich you had been along with me I would have showd you the latest style give my best wishes to your Sister and to Mrs Whiple and her husband and the falmlay and to all enquireing friends /

 

Have you had a sleigh ride this winter with your lady how did you engoy your self Is Hiram Hilton married yet how is James and Nicklas and all of the falmlay I have not herd of them cine I have been here I wich you would give my best wishes to Miss Margaret Hilton and to all of the falmay I will now tell you how I have to go on picket some times it makes no diference how hard it rains whe have to face it and stay 24 hours and keep your eveys open I supose you have herd that Stephen Whitney is sick I would have answerd your letter before but you know how it is with a Soldyer they can not do gest as they are a mind to how does James Merselis get along this winter Stephen Whitney is better I cant think of enny that will intrest to write Lutenant Barckly is well and all the wrest of the boys whe are sutiated in very nice quarters i wich you could be here to take a look onse I think / you would be surprised to see our tents I am a getting very well drilled and learning very fast. A Soldyer has to improve his time if he does not he can never bey clean It is very seldom whe have time to write I have writen four letters in a couple of days I can write a very long letter So you must Excuse me for I am a Soldyer I will think of you very often i could write a longer letter but you know how it is when thare is three or four in a tent a talking and caryon all the time and singing put me out of patience give my best respecks to your Father and Mother I will now close my letter by biding you Good by this is from your Afectionate Friend      Elias Westfall

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