January 29, 1864 pg 2

July you still held me
in remembrance. The picture
which you so kindly sent is
a good specimen of the pho-
tographic art -- but looks searchingly
at me. I have put it in
the back part of my album
and look at is cautiously and
at intervals, as I would try
and court its acquaintance. It
does you injustice Nellie, but
is "all the world to me" as
a reminder of her whom I
love best and of the sweet days
of lang syne.

I should have gone to
Portland to see you when on
sick leave -- but I was too
ill and crabbed to be pleasant
company, and moreover, my
emaciated personal appearance
was such as to have found
ill favor in your sight -- Like-