McClellan U.S. Hospital
Nicetown near Philadelphia Pa.
August 2th 1863.

Miss Anna W. Weston.

Dear friend!

Your favor of the 27th of July I have received --- I thank you very kindly.

I gave my application with your testimonial to the Surgeon right in, that is -- not to Dr. Murphy but to Dr. Brown who is our Ward Surgeon and through whose hand must go all the applications first. When then he report it forder further. I am sorry that I must state to you that the letter to Dr. Murphy was not composed of such stuff as I should have liked to get; thought it could not have been made out better -- it praises one very highly of a good caretaker. Chanaiter[?] and testifying that I have many friends as well as a wife and child to which my fourlough would give great satisfaction! -- I feel very pleased with the letter. -- But family buosiness ??? would have been more powerfull in obtaining a fourlough. I wrote Almira what to do -- that she might go to you and tell you the circumstances to have a letter written in her name, that she had been sick - and very feeble yet, and to make up a little so as to make beleave ------.

My dear friend Miss Anna, I will tell you the conversation between the Doctor Brown of our Ward and one - about my fourlough - I proposed my fourlough - and gave reason that I had been a year absent from my family that my wife had been sick so that she and my friends would be happy to see one -- and that it was obliging to get my wish. I hand him also the letter from you. Question, who is Anna Warren Weston? Answer; She is a friend to me: a respectfull wealthy lady: -- Question! -- is she a young lady? Answer, yes she young and handsome and a very good lady -- he was very pleased with the letter but gave one no satisfaction of a assurance of a fourlough. He said he would see what he could do for one. He says this to every body.

Yesterday as he came in Ward again - I remind him again. He was very friendly and asked one if I was the man who showed him the letter the day before yesterday - I said yes. I told him that my family buosness required it very much. He said a good many told him such storys. Sometimes they were true and sometimes not - but he would see what he could do for me. -- So it is. Now I do not know if it is better if you write again to Dr. Brown. He took great interest in your letter - he said the letter is to Dr. Murphy - but Dr. Brown is the man through who goes the report and generally when he makes it out it will be accepted and sent to the Medical ???? at Philadelphia who will sign it. I am in hope get to accomplish my wish in obtaining a fourlough. I shall let Dr. Brown alone a couple days -- but then I go at him again and give him no peace untill I know -- if he will make it out or not.

I see in your writing last - that you have sent one a letter before - and that I had not mentioned it. My kind friend I am very sorry that I did not get the letter yet. -- I have not received your writing else you know that I would have write again to you directly. --- I hope you keep on writing one -- I am glad to hear that all is well with you - and that Mrs. Weston is well. I suppose it is warm. I do not feel the heat at all. It is just right for one thought it was still warmer in Virginia especially it was in the Battle of Gettysburg. I hear that Peter is drafted - he will make a good soldier. But how is it with George Miller. I suppose he don't like to go. Mr. Dau[?] can pay $300.

Please give my respect to Miss Deborah and tell her that I have received her letter from Staten Island July 22. It was a very long letter - and gave one much pleasure in reading it. I compliment her very highly on her duty as Picket - for keeping watch for two nights to crush the people which made their appearance at Staten Island. I wish I had been their I would have Miss Deborah releaved or to reinforce her. Mr. and Mrs. Weston with the children surrounded the table in hearing my letter read the account of the action in the Battle of Gettysburg. Little Wa??? was so pleased that he was ready to list. Well well I am glad of it and that Miss Deborah to have my letter known to them. They sent their remembrance to one by Miss Deborah in her writing. I thank them and wish when you write to them or when they come to Weymouth this summer to give them all my regards and best respect that I think often of them and remember the happy times I had the opportunity to spend with them when they were at Weymouth on a visit.

My friend John Schnarten[?] has been here to see one and stayed with one last Sunday & Monday. He went back to Boston again on Tuesday.

I am glad to hear that Little Anna and Almira is well and wish that I could see them. I received this morning three letters - two from Almira dated June 24th and one July 6th. They were sent here from the Battery. -- The third letter was from a friend who is in the service in the 1st Ma. Cavalry.

Well my dear friend Miss Anna I must close my letter. I am well and in good spirits. I begin to see the end of this war. The Mississippi is open. Grant is moving on to Mobile. Charleston must fall soon. When then we are Master of the South.

Mrs. Weston must feel satisfied in reading such good accounts of the success of our Army. A few mouths more and we will be triumph showing England and France that we can do it.

Your faithfull friend
Augustus Hesse

Please write soon!

My arm is getting nicely. I practice now in straightening it. I soon am all right again.