Camp Convalisent [sic] VA

July 16th 1863

So sorry to hear Ida is so sick again. “Dear Clara I will tell you how fletch came to know about your sending for me he was crying around & asking me every day if there was not some way to get home so I told him if he would Promise me never to sat anything to anyone I would tell him how I thought he might get one you see I wont lie about it for I thought he would never tell you or his folks that you had done so for me But you see you cant trust your Best friends with a secret I know [otto gulick?] he is one of them Dutch meat Pedlars that lives up near the [Capron?] factory”. He sent her a letter with a ring for Ida in it but he doesn’t know if she’ll get it because the roads are in a bad state. “…I sent you a paper with a receipt for 20 Dollars which I sent by express I hope you have got it before now”. He would have sent it earlier but hoped he was going home. He feels bad she had to ask for it because she doesn’t use a lot of money. “Sometimes I wonder how you get along with as little as you do you have forgot Dear Clara that you sent me ten dollars I am sorry that I have spent so much money But I could not help it Dear Clara we have lived so poor here that I have bought a great Deal to eat & we have to pay double here what everything is worth…” They are supposed to get paid 3 months pay next week and he will send her all of it.

“tell me in you next letter what Mary that was stayed with you I suppose though it was Mary Myers what is she doing now Dear Clara don’t scold me for telling fletch for I thought I was doing a favor and I little thought it would come back to you so soon.” Closing. “I remain yours in love & truth Peter L Dumont”.