Camp 10^th Regt CV.

In the field Before Richmond Va

January 7^th 1865.

           

My Dear Parrents

 

                                    I received your letter of the first to day and how glad I was to hear from you and to hear that you was all well you said that Katie had bin out and made a short visit I am sorry that the sleighing was not good while Katie was out to milford for she would think evry thing of a sleigh ride I am sorry that she could not stay longer out to milford you say that you are going to send a nother box after Katie has sent hurs I received a letter from / Katie yesterday she wrote it in milford she said that she had a first rate time while there she spoke a bout the surup that father raised down to medersent she said that it was as good as New Orleans molasses she said that she was going to buy a pair of gloves that I sent for when she got back to new Haven and send them by mail she said that she was going to send them Monday that would be the 2^nd And your letter was maild the 3 and I should of thought they would of bin hear by this time it aint safe to send such things by mail now for they have to go through so many hands and I shouldent wonder that if some of them had taken / them if you send a nother box put in a peace of sperib and a sausage that is if you have them and some more donuts for they will keep a long time O how I wish that I was home now and there is some hopes of coming yet for I dont think that the war will last another year longer they have taken fort fisher down to wilmington and that is the fort that comanded the harbor and now our gunn boats can go right up and sherman is in the rear of Charleston and of course he will take it for he is a smart general and when Charleston is taken richmond is gone up salt river and then we have got them completely surrounded and of coarse they will have to give in before long I hope so / fred has not got his box yet it snowed all day tuesday and the next morning it was good sleighing and it raind to day and took most of the snow off it is warm and nice in my log house so dont worry a bout me being cold I dont have to go on picket nor do anny guard duty and I stay in my house evry night I am well and enjoy myself as well as I can fred sends his love to you give my love to all of the folks and take a good part your selfs remember me to Katie write soon and all of the news this is from your son Miles L Smith

 

tell Herman that I hope he will katch a rabit before long tell Eddie that he must grow and be a big boy so that he can work with me building houses love to Elizabeth and family and all of the folks so good night

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