p.

know with your manifold duties, you did all in your power. You are sick in Washington and
don't seem to gain much, slowly at best. With frequent relapses I fear. If after you partially
recover you come thus much farther south you will surely be sick again and then there will be
no alternative here by lie down here and die. In short I think you were unwell when you
enlisted and have been ever since. Now if you regard your own life of any consequence if you
have any regard for the feelings of your friends, take a discharge and go home. Why should you
stay where there is no prospect of recovery. It is but one form of suicide. Go home get well
under the excellent care you will receive there and you can find positions enough. Capt. Pitkin
would give you now fifty dollars per month if you were free and well. You can find something
more lucrative than serving in the ranks, and in your case there is not the least dishonor in
accepting a discharge and no one will think there is. I formly believe the only way for you to get
out of this with life and any degree of health is to go home. You may not like the tenor of this
letter but I write my firm convictions. Capt. W. is still with us. Capt. P. I think will never come
into this Brigade. He has charge of all the laborers at the landing. He likes it better than a
Brigade. Hiram is in Boston. Your extra pay I can draw for you if you will send me power of
attorney. It amounts to $26.25. Please write as soon as you receive this.

Your friend,
Henru