In camp near Stafford Court House

Dec 2^nd 1862

 

Dear Father.

                                    Having a little leisure time this AM and not having heard from you for some time I thought I would write you again and let you know that I am enjoying very good health. at the present.

 

            I have written twice since I received your last letter and have received no answer.

 

            As Harry our mail carrier lost our mail bag at Acquia Creek I suppose that one of your letters must have been in that mail. I wish you would write and let you me know about it as I sent for some money and that may have been lost. The last letter I got from you was from New York State and I received it when we lay at Rappahannock Station. Whenever you write enclose one or two postage stamps. There is no news here of any importance.

 

            We are in Taylors brigade, Reyn Gibbons Division and Franklin's Army Corps. What we have got to do this winter remains to be seen. Every thing looks quiet around here and it does not look like moving for some time. The weather is pretty cold and we have to stick pretty close to the fires in order to keep warm. We can make these shelter tents very comfortable if they would let us know whether we shall would stay in a place for any length of time or not. As it is we fix them so they are decently / warm to sleep in.

 

We do not have a great deal of leisure time now as we have to drill twice a day, and each man does his own cooking which takes a good deal of time, and makes a good deal of trouble. This cooking for ones self this cold weather is not what it is cracked up to be.

 

I suppose you had a nice time Thanksgiving out to South Walpole. I did We were hard up for rations that day but we drew towards night. Take it all in all this was the poorest Thanksgiving that I ever passed. I almost envied those boys who are at home from our Company.

 

            Chase our sutler came up day before yesterday with quite a lot of stuff. He is now ready to put boxes through for the boys. I thought I would send home for a box as it will come through in about a week now and perhaps sooner. I want it to consist of eatables mostly. Plum Pudding (mothers old Thanksgiving style with that kind of sauce I used to like so well). Also a big pile of some mince pies made so that they will keep (the same as you sent last year at Hancock Md) I dont suppose that I you could send me a turkey could you? About four pounds of cheese.

 

            Some of this Shaker Apple sauce which comes in all ready to send is put up all ready to send or any kind of sauce or preserve. A can or so of this Condensed milk small cans. About two pounds sugar, one cake Prestons Chocolate. A towel. A pair of drawers. One small pocket book. / A few cakes and crackers. A bottle of Essence of Jamaica Ginger (Browns) Two or three lemons. Reading matter.

 

            I wish you would send me those boots as soon as possible as I am bad off for shoe leather. You perhaps did not receive my last letter so I will tell you what kind I want. Length 5 ¾ about the size of my last year boots.

 

            I think if you send my box right along that I will get it while I am here as Chase brings them right from Washington to Acquia Creek and we are only six miles from that place. Send it by Adams express to Washington D.C. and from there care of Chase &^Co Sutler 13^th Regiment Mass Vol.

 

If you will send it right along I may get it here. I will write again soon and hope that I shall get a letter from you soon.

 

            If you will, send me one of Sylvanus Cobbs 50 or 75 cent novels or Mrs Southworths stories in pamphlet form.

 

            With love to all I remain your affectionate son

            Cha^s E. Leland

 

Jamaica Ginger

Lemons

Some Confectionary, Gum Drops &c /

 

            Remember me to George Worcester.

 

            We went over to a field and cleared it up for a camp. I think that we will stay here a good while as the Col is fixing up his tent for Winter Quarters.

We have orders to make ourselves as comfortable as possible.

 

Send me two or three papers of candy gum drops and about two dozen or three dozen crackers.                                             

 

Any other eatables will be acceptable.

 

            Please send me two or three dozen of these confectionary cocoanut cakes.

 

            Anything good

 

Yours truly,

 

You need not be afraid but what the box will come through all right.

SOURCES