Johnsons Island Ohio Nov 22^nd 1864

 

My Dearest Sister Libbie

                                                                        Your kind letter of Nov 13^th was received a few days ago and have delayed answering until this evening. And while there is an awful storm raging without the tent is almost in a tremble and the snow is now flying with a good will. The wind is now blowing and O how glad I am I am that I was on guard last night and I will be on guard again tomorrow I hope this storm will subside by that time I would put off writing until tomorrow I have delayed answering so long that I am ashamed to put it off any longer.

 

            I had quite a head ache all day and it still pains me a little I am all well excepting my head. No more of that at present

 

            I hope you are enjoying good health.

 

I received a letter from Sam a few days ago they are all well He said that Jenny & Johny were well too I have not heard from them for several days but I think they are well or they would write. Well I think I will fix the chicken feeding with Will myself when I see him. (Let me tie the knot will you not) 

 

Yes Sister Hannah and I are all right on the goose but the goose is quite far.

 

            Sister I think you know how to cook all you or I will want to eat and besides that I do not very well like the idea of you having to get up so early to make fires for other people and suffer the awful cold changes we always have in winters

 

            I think you would earn almost as much as if you was to work at your old occupation of cooking for others to enjoy If you do not earn as much as you would to cook you will have more priviledges and I will help by giving you all the postage stamps you will want to use in writing your letters and maybe I can make you a small presant besides

 

            No Sister Elibbie I have not heard a Welsh sermon for so long that I would hardly know what to make of one but when I get my furlough I am going to try and to hear a Welsh sermon

 

            The ladies do not often get the promise of a photograph from me unless I am pretty certain of one in return I will not have any photographs taken again until after I get a cittizen suit of clothes on and am free from military 

 

            If your fire was out last night you went to bed with cold feet for certain and if you did not sleep warmer than I did you did not sleep very warm for I was awake for about ½ of the night and the other half I did not sleep very sound I tried to write with a quill pen and it made so large a mark that I guess you will give me Hail Columbia but I like a good quill pen to write with I wish M^r John Rees and Miss John all the good fortune they wish for.

 

            Well my Sister Dear this is Wednesday morning and I will be on duty some where but I am not certain where Tomorrow is Thanks Giving I will be off duty and can go to thanksgiving services and be at our dinner. Our breakfast is now ready and I wish you could call and look in and see what we have and how we eat I think you would enjoy the sight and you might be tempted to laugh

 

            We had a slice of fried pork and some pork gravy and bread & coffee I made a good meal and have no appetite for any more breakfast I would not give any person a thank you for a piece of pie or cake.

 

            I will now close by saying that I am well and I have no head ache this morning I got up this morning at 5 and made a fire. 

 

I settled the ice axe yesterday with the other boys I will now close

 

My Love to all

Your Affectionate

Brother

Dave

 

Write soon

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