My dear Sister:

     Your last letter, together with the clothes, was received by private hands a day or two ago. You have my warmest thanks for the nice cool shirts. They add very much not only to my real comfort, but to the ideal or imaginary comfort—always associated with and derived from something new and clean. Keeping comfortably clean is a very difficult matter in the army. Lounging about, not always on the grassiest spots, and drilling and marching with large numbers of feet to stir up the dust are conditions not favourable to cleanliness.
I was very glad to hear such favorable accounts from my farm. I hope it is Self-supporting, and in addition that it may add something to your comfort.

I hope you will draw on it for anything you need which it can supply. Tell Dr. this for me, and never hesitate, Sister, I pray you. I should be very sorry to think that you and Dr. would not use anything there that would add to your comfort
Sister, there is one thing particularly to know, and it is this: Have you money on hand for me to purchase these things you send me? I mean does the money you buy these things with belong to me? — My reason for asking is that I am wholly opposed to you and Dr. buying necessaries for me, and paying out of your own pockets. I have plenty of money, and can never consent for you to be laying out money for me. Please let me know about this, and I shall be relieved of a great deal of trouble.
The weather is again very warm, but not as oppressively so as it was a week ago. Our chances to avoid melting and evaporating to microscopic spots

of grease are much better than they were. — Capt. Holmes told me last week that Milton was going home last Monday. In some way or other, he left before I saw him. I should have sent a letter by him, if I had known he was going—for certain. — You spoke of Mr. Sim Killett in your letter. He spent only a very few minutes with me. I was exceedingly glad to see him. His general air of cheerfulness and satisfaction was especially gratifying. He came so unexpectedly and left so suddenly, I had no time to send you a letter. Whenever I see him, I think of a poor barren little sandy field you pass in going to Dr.'s plantation. It is arises I suppose from the fact that once while passing this field with Dr., he told me we were not far from Mr. Killett's place. His equableness and placidity are pleasing to me.
Your letter mentions my trying to go home. Furloughs are being granted

to limited numbers of non-commissioned Officers and privates. Comm^d Officers may get furloughs, and some few have, I hear; but I have no chance at all while I am the only field-officer with the Regiment. Neither Genl. Ramseur nor Genl Rodes will approve a furlough for a field-officer, when he is the only one present and in command. It is this that kept me from home all last Winter, and it will keep me this Summer. So, my dear Sister, much as I long to see you, we must have patience, and it will all come right after a while. — There was a general suspension of all duties yesterday—Fast-day. It was observed by many; but many paid no respect to it. — If you have any money in hand for me, I would be glad, if you can, that you would buy me two or three heavy winter flannel undershirts and two or three pairs of Canton-flannel drawers. — Give my love to Dr. and all the family. Kiss the dear children often for me.

Your devoted Brother,
W. W. Sillers

P. S. I was much grieved to hear of poor Cousin Sue Cox's death—She was a very sweet woman.