Brandt Badger to Callie Badger, written from West Point, Mississippi, 1863-08-01

Brandt is sick and writes to request leave of absence to go home. He talks of life in camp after the battle of Vicksburg, and how he has now given up smoking and swearing. He asks how life is back home and how his slaves and household servants are doing. Towards the end, he urges Callie to start saving every bit of silver she can find for “ hard times”. He is planning to leave camp as soon as possible. Envelope addressed to “Mrs. Callie Badger, Gonzales, Texas,” in upper left-hand corner, “Care of Dr. Wm. H. Bealby, Chief Surgeon at Panola”.