University of Virginia Library

Decmeber 29th 1861

I recieved your letter on the 20th & it was a most welcome letter for our Reg. was on piket ware the banks of the Potomac & occation the enimy would throw a bombshell as if feeling for our situation but warsted aminition in vain but you may know that your letter being recieved in such a would make a lasting impression on my mind & thare I vowed before Almighty God that I would never play annother card it was very seldom that I every played; when I played it was for mear amusement but well I know thare was a better way to spend my time. This is quite a lonesome day hear, though a beautifull Sabbath morning evry thing looks quiate but dull it is quite a picture to look around on my mess some are Cooking some eating some writing & some sleeping. We had

for breakfast you would laughf if you could see us cooking evry one must have something to say how such & such a thing ought to be done. H. Brownlee is hear to day tis the first time I have seen him since he went to Washington Co. he looks very well. Tom is Gen. Garnetts orderly.

What sort of a Christmas did you have mine was very dry it seemed to me like a Sabbath it was beautiful day. I would like very much to have been at home I know that I could have had some pleasure. I will long remember the plesant hollow days we had a turkey Christmas day for dinner & have had one since. Thare was an inspection this morning a 9 O clock A.M. we had a tolerable hard trip to the Potomac a fiew weeks a go on it is hard to me as I was not very well I had the yellow jaunders. I was very near broke down it was useless to write evry think that happened it has been bublished in the news papers.

I hope John is getting well so he can enjoy him self. Through the low days I assure you that I shall never think less of him for telling on me for he is a man I grately esteem. I only wish that he would correct me of evry fault that have give my love to him if he is at home when this reaches you. You can keep the socks untill I return my health is very good, at presant & hope when theese fiew uninterresting lines come to hand you may be enjoying the same blessing. My Brothers are both well. Your Cousin Abe was down hear yesterday the most of the boys treat him coldly because he had him self detailed to wait on the sick he spent to most of his time with me. I hurd that he started home yesterday I hope that he may have a pleasent time. I must bring this short letter to a close. I ask an interrest all your prayers give my love to all & reserve respective portion for your .

Write soon as I am always glad hear from nothing more.