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Letter from Walter Reed to Emilie B. Lawrence, January 27, 1876

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Willet's Point, N.Y. H.
Jan. 27th 1876.
My precious E.;

    The day was
ushered in with what promised to be
a severe snow-storm, but ere noon
arrived, the snow had ceased to fall,
its place being usurped by a
pouring rain, making altogether
as disagreeable a day as one
could ask for. I had intended to
write to you just as soon as
my morning's work was done,
but I was unexpect [ed] ly called upon
to visit one of the Officers, who
is very much indisposed, and had,
consequently, to postpone my
letter, till it was too late to send [it]
by to-day's mail. It will leave,
however, tomorrow morning & will
reach you, bright & early Monday
Monday morning; at which time, I trust
that I will receive a letter from my
my little darling. The week has been,
so far, not quite so quiet as usual-
Sunday, I was invited out to dinner
at Surgeon s Heger's- Lt. Rossell & my-
self- As it happened, I found myself
seated at the table with Miss Jennings
on my right hand, and naturally the
burden of entertaining her in con-
versation, as well as supplying her
temporal wants, fell s upon me. For-
tunately, I was in a very good frame
of mind (having, [on] the day preceding,
received a letter from my sweet Em.)
and succeeded in making myself
agreeable. We dined at 4.30 P.M. &
after dinner, chatted till 8.30 P.M &
then departed. On Monday, Lt.

 
Mercur's sisters (two pleasant young
ladies) arrived on the Post- One of them
being suddenly taken sick I was
summoned, & have had to pay my
daily visit until to-day- But the
greatest diversion, for the week, re-
mains to be told- Tuesday, about 11 A.M.
a gentleman arrived on the Post &
inquired for Dr Reed. He introduced
himself as Dr--- of the Navy, & de-
sired to see the Fort- I had, up to
the present time, considered myself
as being the most Youthful looking
doctor that ever lived, but this gen-
tleman fairly eclipsed me- In truth,
he had the appearance of a boy of 16-
a mere babe; although he said that
he had been in the Navy 3 years-
Added to this, he was the most pre-
cocious & impertinent young fellow
that it was ever my fortune to meet.
 
Being invited to remain & take lunch,
he accepted- not only this, but he
stayed till dinner at 6 P.M. & did
not depart till 9 P.M- In the short space
of time that he remained, he became
acquainted with all the officers, and
seemed to know me as well as if we
had been school-mates- Called me
"Reed" & slapped me on the shoulder [in] as
the most friendly style! I merely refer
to this wonderful specimen of humanity
in order that you may see what kind
of people one may meet with, as we
journey along.

    But notwithstanding the presence
of the ladies, to whom I have referred,
& the advent of this youth, I have had
abundant time in which to think of
my own loved Emilie-

Adieu, my darling,- Ever, your
fond & devoted

Walter
.