(No 55) 
Duvalls Bluffs Dec. 14th 1864
  My Dear Wife:  Yesterday while on picket I received yours of the 2nd inst.  ("No 2 "new series").  I suppose that No 1 is the one you sent by Barton, he has not made his appearance yet.  I thank you for starting the shirts, they will be verry aceptable to moneyless soldier at the present.  You need not send me any more stamps for a while.  We may posibly be paid this month, & it may be months yet, I do not depend on it at any certain time.  I will tell you how I am getting along. - what we are doing &c, and then turn to matters contained in your letter.  As for myself every thing is going well my throat is nearly well, perhaps as nearly so as ever it will be.  My health in other respects is better than it has been since last spring.  I had an other conversation a few days since with the Col about my resignation.  I told him that I should be governed entirely by him in the matter.  He was verry cordial & frank, he said that while he would give me up reluctantly, yet under the circumstances, rather than have me struggle under poor health, he would relinquish his claim willingly and that if in a week I did not feel better, to aply for a Surgeon's certificate, on which to base grounds for resignation.  Since that time I have steadily improved in every respect, I have but little hope of its perminancy, as the slightest cold affects my throat, the glands of my throat from one ear to the other are tender & slightly sore at all times, for the past two weeks the weather has been verry fine and dry - I have kept in doors principally & have kept my feet dry & warm.  If it should turn warm & wet I may expect to suffer for it.
