Satterlee Hosp. Phil
	      Jan 3d /64


Emma:
		Can you sufficiently
forgive a great awkward galoot,
(who must have tried your
patience severly on a certain 
occasion,) to read these lines 
of repentance and humiliation?
If so, perhaps you can extend
your clemency so far as to write
a few lines of pardon and
encouragement to in answer to
this.    If not, why, I shall
only have my trouble, the [con?]-
sciousness of having committed an 
unpardonable error, and _ three cents
out, for my pains _

	Well, when I look back to
	          "	
the "Fourth," at the Rapids,"
it does seem as though you
must have been terribly pro-
voked.    As I told you at
the time, it was my first Ball,
and consequently I wasn’t as well
[posted?] as I might be. But
my intention was good _  I
wanted to please you, Em,
but only succeeded in teasing
you.    But let me hope, that,
after so long a time, you will
overlook and try to forget
these sins of ignorance;
Will you not, and let me call
you Friend Em?
		I have just re-
turned from a flying visit
to Michigan, (on a “French”
Furlough, by-the-way,) and while
there I got to talking over
some old Greenbush matters

which put me in mind
to write to you.
		From Uncle [Jerome’s?]
I have learned of your Sister’s
affliction.    We, any of us,
little thought, that evening
at the Rapids, of the
wonderful events that were
to take place within three
years of that time.
		How are times at
Greenbush this winter?
Any dances Christmas
and New Years?    I was
in Tecumseh Christmas, 
and W. Philadelphia, on
New Years, but not exactly
in a condition for dancing,
unless a step could be in-
vented for the benefit of
crutches. But I hope to
be all right again in the
course of a few months.


		Should you conclude
to favor me with a few lines,
encouraging me to write again,
I will tell you more concerning
my whereabouts, how I came to
be here, and other particulars.
Until then, I will remain
		Yours Respectfully,
			Ambrose B. Curtiss.
Please Address:  U.S.A. Gen Hospital
		                  (Ward [S?])
		        West Philadelphia,
	                                             Pa
	                                               "