Camp Pierpont           

Fryday Jan 17^th

 

Dear Father

                                                                                    I received that box to day, it arrived safe. I have not tried any of the eatables yet but I shall commence hostilities tomorrow. I am under obligation to you all and you have my sincere thanks. We have had bad weather for some time back, it has been very cold part of the time have had some snow and a good bit of rain. This is a great country for mud, our camp is almost unnavigable it freezes at night and thaws through the day I was on guard last Saturday night had to make the rounds every two hours some places the mud was six inches deep, was relieved Sunday morning / and went out on picket Monday morning. it was very cold all day; it commenced snowing in the evening and snowed all night. We (the officers) are not allowed to shut an eye during the 24 hours we are on duty and one of us are required to go round every two hours. it is a lonely walk. We have never had any adventures or accidents while on picket of any consequence

 

            We do nothing now but picket and camp guard, and you can depend on it we are tierd of it. I have to go on guard about every nine or ten days.

 

            Lieut. Chamberlin and Math are to leave the Regt tomorrow. they have been detailed as recruiting officers. I do not know where they will be sent to yet. I expect they will be absent several months. I am sorry they are going to leave it will be very lonesome for me. I will be all alone.

 

I think I will get Riley to move his quarters up to my tent.

 

Our boys are getting very lazy, if we soldier much longer they will never get over it. they have nothing to do but / eat and sleep except a little guard duty. The men are anxious to have another fight, they think they can give the rebels a sound thrashing next time

 

Ed. Davis is getting better, he has applied for a furlough, I think he will get it.

 

There are a number of boys applying for furloughs, but I dont think they will get them. only one man is allowed one at a time out of each Company.

It will be difficult for me to get away until Charlie gets back.

 

I do not think our portion of the army will do much before spring. it is impossible to make any advance now on account of the impossibility of moving artillery to any advantage. the roads are poor in this country except a few main thoroughfares which are a little more passable. As the roads are now it would be hard work for men to march more than six or eight miles in a day.

 

I would like to write more but it is getting late. Give my love to all the Family

 

From your affectionate son

J S Winans

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