Page 2 July 20, 1863

oil-cloths protect us from the elements.
Our knapsacks are expected to arrive
here to-day.

I am sorry that Mary is sick, I
hope she will soon recover, and, in
future be more careful of her hea-
lth. She should not have ventu-
red to come home until she ha-
d fully recruited her health. Grand-
mother, too, is sick. Not seriously, is she
I hope not. I would have you all
enjoy earth's greatest blessings,
health. May you all live till my
return; for oh! I would have the
exquisite pleasure of seeing all
my remaining friends around
the fire circle when once again
I can return to the spot of m-
y nativity.

As yet I have not received