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leisure; meanwhile I desire to thank you both for your promise that, should I visit Chicago, I may shake hands with you personally. This will give me a great deal of pleasure, and I shall hold you to your promise absolutely. I wish that - in answer to your kind enquiries about my health - I could write that I were well. I am, however, much better than I have been, and indeed (now that it is past I have no objection to tell you: I have been very ill. I hope, however, that the warmth and balm of the coming spring will reinvigorate my wasted strength, so that I may continue at my post, wherever or whatever that shall be. I can quite believe all you say regarding your solicitude for the welfare of the soldiers and your desire to benefit them practically. Blankets are warm, and so are woolen socks; but the warmest of all things is Love. Good-night. God bless you: and that I may turn to personal use the goods with which you have dowered me, I shall wrap myself up in your friendship and sleep. Sincerely, Richard Realf. [In the bottom right corner are the initials: L. M. in different ink.]