To Mary Milroy From RH Milroy Dec 13 1863

              (written upside down on top of page) 
I also sent you a scrap that Martha Beck 
Sent me. 
 
 
 
                               Washington City D.C. 
 
                                     Dec. 13th 1863 
 
 
 
My Dear Mary, 
 
 
 
                         Ellas letter 
of the 5th inst. was recd 
three days ago and yours of 
the 30th ult.  was recd last 
night, so you see how irregu- 
lar the mails are.  I was glad 
to hear your determination to 
write to me once a week. 
 
 
 
I was much pleased with 
Ellas letter & to learn that she 
& Mrs. Ballan had recd & were 
pleased with the music I 
sent – and I was pleased to hear 
of Val, & Walter getting tickets 
of merit.  Tell them to preserve 
these tickets & see which one 
of them can get the greatest 
number of them by Spring.  And 
that I will give a nice present 
to the one who has the most.