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#4

Camp McDonald
August 8th, 1861

Dear Aunt,

It is with pleasure that I write tonight in answer of your two letters I recd yesterday & was glad to hear from you & to hear you wer all well. I would bea very glad to see you all before I go to Virginia but I guess I will not. I could not bear the idea of parting from you all again.

I was surprised to hear of McAfee's marrying. I never dreamed of such a thing. You state in your last that now was a good time to work on the sympathies of the young men. I hope my sympathies have not bin worked on too far at least not so far as I can still say that my heart is my own. You must tell the girls that hey must not put too much dependence in what a soldier says.

If you advise me not to make matromonial engagement till the war is over, I will do it. I havent responded with any of the girls except (erased) since I have ben down here & I do not knoiw but what we have carried things too far, that is with our foolishness. I do not think there is enough of difference in our ages. You know pretty much how we stand, I want you to give me some advice on the subject. I have not committed myself yet, I dont think. I want you to give some advice on the subject as a mother would give a son. I know the advice you give me will bea for my good & will try & follow it.

I recd that shirt you sent me & I neaver intend to forget you or refuse to take your advice. If I wer, I would feel ungrateful.

You must not let anyone see this letter but burn it. I expect I have wrote too much already. I think you have done a great deal for me for which I shall feel under lasting obligations as long as I live.

We cook our provisions tomorrow to last us to Virginia. We start Saturday sometime. All the troops have left except the battlion & 3 companies of calvary. There is more 650 men in our legion about 250 men in the calvary & about 400 in the rifle battlion, probably no moore.

I have not ben very well since McAfee has been gone. I was verry sick one day with a pain in my head, bad cold & sore throat. But I have improvised a great deal in the last day or two.

Tell Mary & Fanny they must write to me. I think they might. I have bin very busy for the last day or two preparing to leave, so no more at preasant.

Give my respects to all inquiring friends, to Mr. & Mrs. Dexter, Emma Wimpy, & all my friends & to Dick & Lady. All the boys are well but some have the mumps.

A tree top fell down on one of the Demsey boys last night & liked to killed him. It fell down on his head.

Yours till death,
A. J. Rees

Let no one see this letter. It is a mixed up concern.
I have no envelopes but fancy ones.

Transcribed and submitted by Ann Reese Cranford
 

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