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NewCastle Del. April 28/71 Gen. O.O. Howard Comr Bureau R.F. & A.L General:- To day commenced my period of incarceration in the common jail of this County for Six years and were it not for the wrong I have done the Cause of Christ an innocent wife and darling children I should not feel so deeply keen, so agonizingly my punishment, from my poor dear wifes feeble condition and her state of mind conveyed to me in a touching letter received on the day of my sentence I greatly fear that she will hasten to the grave and this fills my better cup to overflowing, but I will say no more upon this head but proceed to what I first intended to say to you and it may be that I shall never be privileged to address you or see you again until that day for which all other days were made so I wish you to beleive me when I state to