Holograph, signed.
Augustus Hesse is very thankful for Deborah Weston's letter and for the box that Mrs. Weston sent. Hesse said he felt happiness when the "Box came in my sight---more when I open it and take the different things out---in taking off the cover the sweet smell pressing through my nose to the stomach it will be quite different from op[en]ing a hard tack Box---." Hesse cannot send the Yarmouth Herald to Mary(?), since he reads it so much, there is nothing left of it. Hesse comments with sympathy on the deaths of Mr. Willis and Miss Pierce; he mentions the marriage of Captain Pierce. Hesse has not had a letter from his wife, Almira, since Christmas Day. His battery is having a fine winter in Virginia, and "it was so warm like in summer." They are having a nice time in their winter quarters, and "the Boys are all well and in good spirits---eager for the Spring Campaign." They have four guns now, "but I hope while Capt. John Bigelow is in Boston, we may get some Recruits to fill the Battery up again." Many horses have died, but they have just received twenty new ones today. Hesse said: "I rode this morning a new Horse. He is quite Spunky. I have a good deal to worke [sic] about them---on account Sergt. Baker being sickly---I take it for a pleasure for I like Horses very much." They had a mounted inspection for Captain Heart, whose battery was with them at Gettysburg. Hesse said about Captain Heart: "He did not inspect us very sharp he knows we are all Great fighting Heroes---who he loves for he is one himself--- ..." Augustus Hesse has been in the U.S. service for eighteen months.
