US General Hospital
Near Fortress Monroe, Va.
June 28th 1865

Dear Wife,

Your kind letter No. 1 of the 16th came to hand today and I am very glad to hear that you are doing so well but I am sorry that I can do no more for you that I do for if I could only know that you was well off, I should be contented out here. But I don’t like to stay where they owe me and I can’t get what they owe to help you with. They owe me now, if I mistake not, over a hundred and fifty dollars and I can’t get a cent of it. You say that some men would not do as I have done and not find fault with you. I would like to know what I have got to find fault about for I can’t find fault with you for being sick for that is God’s will and when one is sick, they have to pay doctor’s bills and no one had ought to find fault with anything of that kind.

I think if I could get my pay as it is needed by you that you would not have a chance to complain for I believe in having plenty to eat and the house rent paid off. Money can be got to do it with and it can’t be done for nothing in these hard times. And I don’t believe that you would use a cent if it was not needed. And I think that you would make a better use of money than I could for I can trust my little wife yet. I don’t care for the money part of it if I can only get home and find you well. I shall be happy enough to work hard for you.

Your letters all come to me now but I expect that I shall soon go off to the regiment and if I do, your letters will be sent to me from here for I shall make arrangements with the ward master to send them. So don’t fear to write for I shall get your letters. I got six of them from the company the other day. I don’t want you to think that I have anything to find fault with at home so don’t worry about anything of that kind. Love me enough to believe that I love you and that I approve of everything you do at home and then you will hear me as I am for I don’t love money but I do love my wife for I think I have a good one.

I am in good health and I hope that this will find you enjoying the same blessing. You must make up your mind to move from where you are now when I get home for I want you where i can see you once in a while. So when I get home, you have got to go to some seaport town so make up your mind where you had rather live before I get there. Write soon my pet Darling. Your loving husband, — Chester A. Chapman