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submit my own poor rhythms to your criticism. I used often to send my verses to the press but I did not keep copies, and so - fortunately - I have forgotten the largest part of my couplets. But sometimes I remember a whole poem, and you must give me leave to enclose the within, written long ago. Such simple things may be of interest you know should I happen to fall in these strifes, and you ponder sometimes over the memories of your dead friends. All these are dreams - edged with the passion and pain of my lost youth. I am a man, now, and do not dream anymore. Yes: we are all of us getting enough to eat and to wear; thank God that the dreary time has past. And I am glad to say that the health of the Regiment is excellent, and the number of sick exceedingly small. You must pardon the hurried character of this note. I am very busy. But I could not consent to let you think that I ceased to remember you and thank you for your friendship; to do which latter, and to assure yoiu that the former is not likely to occur, is the object of this scrawl. Good night, dear ? friend. God bless you, and all yours. Sincerely, Richard Realf.