M. Barracks Dec. 30^th

 

Sis

            I receive the box you sent me last night. every thing carried very well. After I got it open, the first thing we made way with was the turkey about ten or twelve of us, with some apples. I have now got it under a bed that no one can get any thing out of it with out a great deal of trouble and by tomorrow some time I will have a lock on it, and then when the things is out of it, it will make a first rate trunk. I have a splendid little box now which I bought from a fellow here for seventy five cents which I kept my things which is most likely to be stolen. That case you sent me will be very usefull, the sossage would of been better cooked, but I can cook it very well once I get out to get a pan, or maby I can borrow one. I have not opened any of the cans / yet or do not entend to untill I get a lock on, for I do not think I would get my full share. I still keep well and like it as well as ever. M^r Linville was here last week, and gave me them things you sent to me, the gloves and cuffs will be very good on guard, the money case was very good, but I think you must of thought I was going to coin money here. I took the half of one and and made a bag to put around my neck. He gives a very discourageing account of our army, and I think every thing looks dark now the but I hope it may be just before day. The rebels are reported with in a few miles of Alexandra. Last fryday I saw the strangest wound I suppose during the war on a man that must of been from his looks being both gray haired and stooped 60 years of age, the ball went in his right side of his face and came out near his left eye destroying the sight, and the old man came in here / to see if any of his comrades where in that he had been with 8 or 10 years ago he said he had been at the flo Florida war and had been in the U.S. service for 25 years. Of them 120 Marines captured on the Ariel 60 where from this barracks. I guess we will be turned over for duty about new year. They are talking about haveing a turkey dinner that day. our Christmast dinner was the same as other days. From the cracking of pistoles and crackers you would of thought it was the fourt of july. I had no less than five meales that day three from Uncle Sam and two of my own I suppose you would like to know what they where, they where what we call scouse here a lot of meat and bread, potatoes and onion put in a pan and stued up together, if you want to know any more paticulars about the receipt just let me know and I will give you full paticulars. It cost me about six cents a day for milk / I buy 5 cent worth in the morning which is a pint and borowes a tin and maks toast with my bread and in the evening I buy a cents worth and mixes it with my tea and does the same with it. Let me know if you have received that money yet. I will now end by sending much Love to all

 

Charlie.

 

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Dec. 30/62

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