To Mary Milroy From RH Milroy Dec 20 1862

              Petersburg W. Va. 
		    Dec. 20th 1862 
 
My dear Mary, 
		I don’t remember whether I  
acknowledged the recd. of yours of the 4th enclosing 
a letter from Ella or not. I have also recd. yours  
of the 11th & 13th inst. It gives me much gratifica- 
tion to hear that the children are all in good 
health again. I was in hopes that Ben had too 
much sense to get spoiled. Slaves who have 
obtained their freedom are very apt to run their 
freedom to excess if not restrained. You probably did 
well to let Ben slide, but I fear you will find it 
a severe job getting wood through the winter, 
taking care of the house, cow, etc. 
   I sympathize deeply with my good friend C. W. 
Henkle in the loss of his wife. It will throw a  
gloomy shade across the hitherto peaceful & pleasant 
path of his life, & destroy much of his attraction 
to earth. I would dearly like to come home if  
my sense of duty would permit. You say that Ella 
wonders why I cannot come home like other officers do. 
Tell her the reason is that I cannot get my own 
consent to act the rascal, because other officers do it,