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Camp near Sharpsburg, Va. Feb 26th, 1863
         Respected Sir:
            Your unexpected
favor of the 21st before me, and I 
hasten to reply, Nothing could
have been more unexpected to me than your 
generous offer, what influenced you to make it, 
I know not- May you never have cause to
regret the choice; for I willingly accept the
place offered. Many are the sneers
and curses hurled at the negroe, but if
they can prove instrumental in saving 
the country, I cannot ^ think it but honor to use them
for that purpose. It is said the Rebels will
hang all whites in command of a Regt. of
blacks; but will an idle threat intimidate
men who have faced death in its most repulsive
forms? No, the path of duty will be trod
though it be slippery with blood.
If the situation you offer is given me I would like
to get a short furlough if possible so as to
arrange affairs at home as all my money
is at home except the 4 months pay due