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lines. From the time of the Gettysburg fight
to the present has [ ] long period to endure
confinement without receiving a word of
encouragement from our friends in the
regiment except occasionally from Williams.
Can you not all manifest a little more feeling
for our condition and write a line now and
then? A little friendly sympathy sent forth in
this way would be sure to meet with a just
appreciation. If I am ever to engage in
another battle I hope I will not be attended
with the same results at least as far as my
personal comfort and welfare is concerned. I
never wish to be called on to undergo a trial
similar to the present misery fate; nor can I,
like Shakespeare’s banished duke find
sermons in stones and good in every thing. I
freely confess that to view misfortune in this
consolating light requires something more of
a philosopher than I can claim for myself.
One thought alone consoles me here and that
is the belief that this in not to last always. I
hope you have fully recovered from your
wounds and [ ] in the enjoyment of good