Camp Sigel Readville Aug. 22, 1862

Miss Anna Weston!

Your letter d.d. 20 I have received and was very glad to hear that Miss Deborah placed my bounty money in the Savings Bank for me. I shall feel now quite content -- I thank Miss Deborah very much, and hope that it was not to much trouble for her. I am sorry that Miss Weston has been sick. I wish that nothing will happen to her, in my absence fo[r] I regard her as my own Mother with Love and Confidence.

I am delighted when I get a letter from you or of any one of Miss Westons Family for all did you treat me as you own. Dear Miss Anna I wish you will write to me very often to inform me how my little Anna and my wife is doing. I suppose you know that Almira can not write, so the[y] need somebody to do her writing. Her sister wrote a letter for Almira last Monday to me, but it is hard for me to make her writing out. I understand that my Anna begins to talk, and that she is trying to stand alone. She lies me all the time on my heart, I like to hear very often of her.

We got here a fine camp. We are here alone yet near the Blue Hills and live so comfortable as possible. They talk a good deal here since this morning, that we are going away next week to Washington, but I can not believe it for we have not any horses either cannon in our possession yet. We are drilling every day in Artillery and as soon we have the cannon and the horses we are able to go in the battle and it may be possible that our march order may come any time, as soon we got the cannon.

I am Private in this battery. I could not get a commission at present for most all the men have been in service before here in the war. It is no matter I feel content and will do my duty any time when I can in action. I shall fight with the knowledge for what I am fighting and when I should fall I shall know what I am falling and shall die happy for liberty. I know very well that a good many have deferent [different] opinions of the rebellion but I have got only one, and that is! ---------! Slavery must be abolished through all North America --------. I like liberty and for that I shall do my duty to defend it. I hate slavery and shall do my duty to destory it -----.

Good bye my dear Miss Anna. Give Miss Weston and all the best.

My very best respect. Kiss my dear little girl.
For your true and respectful servent.
Augustus Hesse

PS. I pe??? in your writing that one of you would com[e] to see me surely before I go. I would be very glad to have the pleasure to see you all once more before I start for the battlefield.

My love to Almira your A. Hesse