Campbell Hospital.

 Washington D.C.

Nov 17^th 1864

 

                                                                                                                        Dear Friend Mary. I now improve a few moments in adressing you. I did not write much when I answerd your last letter there to home. But will now fill this sheet up to you. first will say I am in good health hoping this to find you and Parents enjoing the same.

 

                                                                                                                        Mary I had a verry pleasent time to home as it was but should enjoied it a great deal better if I could have had "Your Company" I will now say I got your letter 2 or 3 days before I left but did / not get a good oppertunity to answer it as I wanted to so now I will finish. I spoke to you about my staying this winter and I see you rather I would not but I will explain the matter to you a little & then wait for another answer. I would like to come home & spend the winter with you Mary But as it is do you think it best. first I will say I am owing $165 on my piece of land yet But will have just about enoughf to pay it all up & have one Horse left when I get my discharge & if the wer buildings on it it would be all right but as the is none I think it best to stay here where I can get good / wages & save them untill I get enoughf to put up a good comfortable little house. I can get into a place here where I can clear from all expences $30.00 per month & I think I can lay up a little more than that & as I can not do hard work verry well I think we could not do any better. the R.R. goes close by my piece of land. I can get $20.00 per acre for it if I would take it but I think I could not do any better under the present circumstances. Now Dear Mary Dear for I think and trust you are the dearest unto me and I hope & try to do evory thing as it ought to be done now / Mary think it over and write to me just as you think and feel if you had made up your mind to do what we agreed on this last spring dont be affraid to write it for the is no one but myself gets hold of your letters. I always tried to do right with & by you & will still try & do any thing that is reasonable for you. now please answer this soon as you get it & dont let any one see it unless you wish to show it to your Father & Mother I always write as I think & feel about things concerning our affairs & correspondance. I could get a Commission in our Regt if I would muster in for 3 years more but I dont feel disposed to live a single life that long & I will not leave a widow to mourn over the losses & destruction of this horrible war now write soon & Rember True Love & Friend write all

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