No 17 
Camp near West Plains Mo Feb 1st 1863 
My Dearest Mary
 I have this day recd your Christmas present, all safe except the vest was mussed some, I thank you over & over again, for such testimonials of your affection & love for me.  Tell Mrs. Reichineker the catsup came safe & is No 1.  Tell her to accept my sincere thanks for so nice a present.  I suppose all that you sent me came.  I do not know as they had been opened.  There was "the fine toothed comb" at the top, then the tooth brush, & the other comb pen holder & pencil, scissors, five bunches of paper 15 envellopes stamped 4 or 5 not stamped, pens, thread, buttons these things came in here day before yesterday.  Marion was down & got his things & Hedge told him he would bring mine up.  I kept waiting until to day when I went myself, & got them.  I would again thank you for them & for the spirit that prompted you
