p.

Camp near White House May 18, 1862.

Esteemed Friend -

I improve this my earliest oppor-
tunity to reply to your excellent letter and also give
you some information concerning William in ad-
dition to what we wrote you from Camp Scott
and Yorktown. I left Yorktown Wednesday last.
William left the same day for Washington on board
the Hospital Boat. He went to the Hospital Sunday
and when I got transportation up the river for
the ammunition he was unable to go with me.
Dr. Childe pronounced his disease slow fever.
I think it is the penalty of his untiring labors
in the Hospital last fall. When I last saw him
Wednesday morning he was quite weak, but able
to walk and sit up a little, [strikeout]was not in any pain[/strikeout]
had but little pain, but could endure no ex-
ertion. At times getting up and washing would
so exhaust him that he would have to lie
down and keep still some time. At other imtes
he would be quite strong and endure consider-
erable. I am sorry that he is unwell at this par-
ticular time, for it is the very time when
one least wishes to go home, expecialy one
of William's disposition. I presume he may
be sent to Vermont and may be at home
long before this reaches you. I hope he may be