1. When there is no punctuation in the document, it is added in brackets if needed for clarity.

2. The notation [sic] is used to indicate a misspelled word if needed for clarity.

3. A blank space, i.e. ________ indicates a word in the document that is not dicipherable.

4. The capitalization style in the original document is copied.

5. Square brackets, i.e. [ ] are used to indicate an addition by the transcriber to clarify meaning in the original document.

6. Underlining in the original document is repeated in the transcript.

7. An attempt is made to keep editing to a minimum to preserve the often unique character of the original.

-Mary D. Edwards Summer 2000

Office Chimbo. Hosp. No. 3

Richmond, Va. Dec. 28th, 1864

My dear Sweet Sister,

The ever dear white winged messenger from your hand of the 23 inst: came duly to hand yesterday which found me comparitively [sic] well & truly glad to hear from you. its useless for me to undertake to give you an idea of the pleasure it affords me to receive a letter from you or to discribe[sic] the feeling & interest with which each & every line is carefully read. would that I could be the recipient of such dear letters every day - but truly it is a pleasure that such a character ad I, do not deserve. Well Christmas is over: it past very quietly with me - I met with no gay ____ , or rather visited no place where there was merry making. Christmas day I went to Church to hear a very good & appropriate Sermon delivered by Doctor Duncant of this City. in the after noon I called on a friend for a short time & at night went to Church again Thurs - past. The day - marking the fourth Christmas since the was all of which I have spent away from home. The only treat I had during this Christmas week was the receipt of your ever welcome letter, which was handed me yesterday about noon. I am just learning how to appreciate such pleasures. it was always very agreeable to me to correspond with my friends, but situations as I am now makes it doubly so.. a way from my home & among entire strangers - leaves me quite a lonely life. it is truly more monotonous here than it was in all my experiences in Camp.. tis true, I believe that I have made many friends while here but I am deprived of the social comforts that I enjoyed with my Company. for there, I have a fond brother whose society has been the greatest source of my pleasure ever since I have been old enough to duly appreciate a brothers love. and were I deprived of a Correspondance [sic] with you dear Kate . - dreary, & all most comfortless, would be every hour of my life. - Just think what a pleasure to have some dear loved one ,Who, though separated from me by many miles - still, I hove the pleasure of Speaking with though it be through the silent medium of the pen. til truly gratifying - believing as I do - that I am honored to night with this pleasure of writing to one who loves me. - with a pure Sisterly unselfish love . on whose word I may - with impunity confide -believing that her pure heart knows no treachery - one whom I love above all others of her sex, save her, to whom I have given my heart . & hand - with the promise that the arm & hand which wields this pen shall shield her fragile form, through a life time. That I hope may be as pleasantly spent in the few short hours - are hours in writing to my dear Sister Kate -

You state in your letter that you wished to know how many brothers & sisters I have - I have four brothers, & four sisters. There are nine of us in all, My Father & Mother are both living - My Father is nearly 75 years old. - My Mother about 66 - I am the youngest son living, I have one sister younger that my self - She is the youngest Child. & she is grown - Well. Kate., last Tuesday the 20th one year ago, we parted, a day ever to be remembered by me.. What wonderfull[sic] changes has taken place since that Eventfull[sic] day - twas there & then,, that I took the last fond looks upon one who had made a lasting impression upon me. Though I never - (at the time) expected to see or hear from you again - but so forcibly was it impressed - and strangers as we were these lines presented themselves to me[.]

"We met as perfect strangers

"But when we come to part

"Love had Empressed[sic] its image

"Upon my throbbing heart.

And upon the impulse of the moment I determined to write to you regardless of the result - which I did, & am proud to say that I have never regretted it,, I have found that my ideas of physiognomy & human nature in my slight observation has served me justly - you have proved to be - the realization or rather the result of my course has been a realization of what might have been. termed a Castle built in the air for you and all that I had fancied you were in my silent musings; ( __________________[page disintegrated] simple language) a pure hearted - kind-affectionate good Girl [.]

Well dear Kate - I will not impose any longer on your patience, but will close my uninteresting & uninstructive letter. You must remember me kindly to your dear parents. & your Sisters - Say to your Sisters that I am glad to hear that they are so Merry[,] hope you all spent a gay Christmas. I wish I could have been with you, tell Miss Molly that I did not get tight - but probably it was for the want of Spirits. tell her not to leap to[too] soon[.] ___ ____ knows but what I saw - ___ give me a a [sic] Sacking - then Rose Dale might have increased charms for me,, goodby dear Kate. I hope Miss Molly will pardon me ,, for my bold suggestion. with my warmest wishes for your wellfare [sic] & happiness. I remain yours as ever, affectionately , (Write Soon) Robert.