Camp Pierpont           

Fryday Jan 3^rd

 

Dear Mother

                  I will have to ask your pardon for not writing to you oftener but when writing to two or three at home it is hard to make anything of a letter without having them nearly alike. I wrote to Father several days ago I suppose the letter has arrived before now. I received Elsie's letter and will answer soon.

 

            I have got very well and feel pretty tough think I can stand a / march as well as ever I look much better than when I was home last have got some of the tan off and have much more color in my face.

 

I just came off of guard this forenoon, went on yesterday morning. It is pretty to be out in the cold twenty-four hours without sleep, but an hour or two of sleep after I come off makes me all right.

 

            I did not spend Christmas quite as pleasant as I have been used to. I was on guard. I had a fine day of it New Years. The officers belonging to the Reg'ts that were in the fight presented / Gen. Ord with a fine sword for his gallant conduct at the battle. We, that is, the officers of our regt. presented Col. Jackson with a sword also. We had a fine supper at the Sutlers tent in the evening.

 

It is raining mixed with sleet to night, am glad I dont have to be out in it. That pair of socks that Aunt Sarah sent me are lost I suppose I may get them but I think not I always forget to say anything about that sash Father sent me. I like it very well. I am going to have a picture taken / with all my harness on as soon as I can get down to the city.

 

Elsie was coaxing very hard for me to come home on a furlough. I think she will have to wait some time yet. I will try and get home in February or March if we dont move off too far. There is some prospects of having another battle before long. I have got good quarters now. We took our tent down and built a log cabin about as high as my head then put the tent on top for a roof. We have a bunk built of poles. have a good fire place and we live very comfortable. Give my love to Father and the Children

                       

from Your Son

J. S. Winans

 

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I wish Father would buy me some butter & apple butter and send it by express. be sure and pay charges and send a receipt by mail or I will have to pay double charges. Jac

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