p.

no alternative but lie down here and die. In short
I think you were unwell when you enlisted and
have been ever since. Now if you regard your own
life of any consequence, if you have have any regard
for the feelings of your friends, take a discharge
and go home. Why should you stay where there
is no prospect of recovery. It is but one form of
suicide. Go home, get well under the excellent care
you will receive there and you can find posi-
tions. Enough. Capt [Piskin?] would give you now
fifty dollars per month if you were free and
well. You can find something more lucrative
than servind in the ranks, and in you [sic] case there
is not the least dishonor in accepting a discharge
and no one will think there is. I firmly believe the
only way for you to get out of this with life
and any degree of health is to go home. You may not
like the tenor of this letter but, I write my firm
convictions. Capt W. is still with us. Capt P. I think
will never come into this Brigade. He has charge
of all the hands laborers at the landing. He likes
it better than a Brigade. Hiram is in Boston. Your
Extra Pay I can draw for you if you will send me power of
attorney. It amounts to $26.25. Please write as soon as
you receive this. Your Friend

Henry.