Sunday Dec^r 27^th 1863                       

 

            Dear Wife I take this opportunity of writing you a fiew lines to let you know where I am going. I wrote to you a fiew days ago then we were camped near Alexandria we have been on this march ever since & are now camped 23 miles south of Monroe. I think we will stay here to day where we are going from here I do not know Some think we will go to Little Rock. I think we will opperate with Price for a while though I do not know where he is at this time I don't know of any (friends) higher than Vicksburg though they may be plenty (nigher) than that we have been marching very hard for over 3 weeks & we have not rested over two days this month. a christmas day we marched over twenty miles we are beginning to live hard hard our beef is getting poor & other rations scanty. I am sorry to inform you that I see but very little prospect to come home soon it appears like we are not going in to winter quarters at all this winter. if not we will be apt to be moving the most of the time I learn this morning than                 is in here & had a fight a fiew days ago & took 40 negroes & some wagons I received a letter from you written on 29^th of November sorry to learn that part of your hogs were dead I am in hopes you will get some of those at Dervins you also wrote ? wrote you couldn't get your beef steers well you must try to lay up enough of meat to do you any how before it gets to poor. I am worn out considerably traveling so much. I think I will be alright when I rest a fiew days. we have had a very day christmas, that is to the soldiers here, you / wrote like you would send me some clothing by Mosely if you thought I would get it. I am in hopes you did not send any as there is no telling when we will be togather again you had better not try to send any clothing to me except it be some socks. I have clothing enough besides pants & socks & pants I can get here. I could buy a pair to day for 40 dollars, jeans pants. we will be paid off to day two months pay which will be up to the 31^st of august leaving four months due us. I have some money which I wish you had that you might lay it out in something as it seems to be going down all the time. it is worth only fifteen to one at Alexandria, you can't buy silver or gold with it at all. tell Eddy I am very proud of him to hear how he is learning & that he is a good boy. I should be very sorry to hear of him telling stories & using profane language to Johny tell him he shall have a book too if he is a good boy & Willie I will recollect him to. this will leave the boys generally well. Scruggs is writing today. Clark Loring is well & saucy Give my love & respects to Jess & family & enquiring friends & receive the same to yourselves So hoping these lines may find you all well. I recommend you to the care of our heavenly Father, yours truly    Thomas. W. Johnson

 

Virginias letter

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