Camp Convalisent [sic] VA

Friday July 24th 1863

Finally got her letter, it had been 10 days since he’d gotten one and thought she must be sick. “Dear Clara you Cant tell how I felt after I read your letter I feel for you with all my heart god knows how gladly I would come if I could & be with you I never thought any of my folks could of treated you with so little respect it is hard I know it But dear Clara I happen to have a hope that I shall yet get through this wicked Rebelion [sic] & come home to live & die with my Dear little wife & then I will try & atone for all the Sorrow I have Brought on you I am afraid you stay at Home to [sic] much why did you not go to the Pic nic & enjoy yourself I think it would of done you a great deal of good I did not know untill [sic] lately that you was liveing [sic] in such a place as you are up stairs & in one room I am afraid you are doing an injury to yourself by trying to please me as you think I don’t want you to [spunge?] your stomachs or live Poorly to save a little money because that would hurt my feelings worse than anything else Dear Clara last Sunday I spent the whole day in the tent thinking of you & wishing I could see you I wonder if Joey never thought of setting on the steps & if nobody never thought of saying any thing to her for it & then that night Society oh Dear Clara it makes me feel awful I was almost crazy when I read your letter I sat down & thought I would write a real saucy letter to them but my better feelings over Balanced my Bad ones & I was glad I did not write it for that would onely [sic] be letting them know you had been writeing [sic] about them to me So Dear Clara take my advice try not to notice everything they say or do overlook it if you can & rest asured [sic] that one of the truest & most loveing [sic] hearts beats warm for you that ever beat in a human bosom god Bless & Protect you through life & I hope when the harvest Comes you may be gathered with all the heavenly & be at rest.”

Wants to see a picture of her to see if she is altered any. Did not get a letter from George or Mally but may get it tomorrow. “I am glad to hear that Ida was so pleased with her ring poor little thing how bad I do want to see her She must always be called her pas [sic] girl I always thought so much of her & she always seemed to think a great deal of me.” Is sending her five dollars since he thinks he’s not coming home. He would like to have her come visit but there is nowhere for her to stay: “the houses within 15 miles of here was all Burnt Down in the Commencement of this war & nothing is to be seen but tents.” If he thought the war would last much longer he’d send for her anyway. They got mustered in and are going to be paid soon and he’ll send it home. Closing. P.S. “Tell me in your next letter if george is enrolled for the Draft”.