Camp Sedgwick.                    

Near Brandy Station Va.

Jan 3^rd 1863.

                       

Dear Sister,

                                    We have got through with '63 at last, poor old fellow, and have commenced upon another year. Will '64. do you think see the soldiers free again. last New Years a great many thought this was the last year of the war, but it hangs, and for what we know its like to hang. We know it must end some time and for that reason we know we are nearer the end now than we was a year ago. We have accomplished a good deal since the last New Year take every thing into consideration while the rebels have gained nothing but instead lost at all points. Some of the Southern papers complain of the actions of foreign nations, and say the whole world is against them, and are trying to get on the good side of us. this must be about as discouraging as the battles they have lost. 

 

I had a New Years present the other day did you know it? I might as well tell you what it was for fear you have not heard. I dont know but I had better call it two presents for there was two of them together. they were pictures of a couple of gals

 

            There dont go to getting mad because two have sent their pictures to me because you may have had a couple of beaus sometime together when you was a gal and I shouldnt wonder if you was as tickled as I am Well they arrived by mail early in the morning of the 1^st of Jan. they were accompanied by a letter from you and it may be by that that you have had some hand in the affair but I'll let that pass. I read your letter then opened the other. Lucetta's was the first one that appeared and who in the Old Harry it was I couldnt make out. I felt another inside so I got that out to the light and come to see them together it did not take long to discover their identity. they both are natural enough but somehow or other I could not make out Lucetta till Bell appeared on the stage and then all was plain. Bell and Lucetta I thank you and wish you a Happy New Year if its not too late. 

 

            We have had a pretty muddy time of it here in this part of the world the first week, but its froze up solid as a brick bat now. Friday morning when it cleared away so we could see things a little the Old Blue Ridge presented a pretty wintry appearance, all covered with snow as far as we could see both ways. in camp it was pleasant overhead but mud under foot ankle deep. since it turned cold we have had to stay pretty close to our fires. the wind would almost blow a fellow away. keeping big fires going all the time is having its effect on our wooden chimneys almost every night the cry of "fire" is heard and every body rushes out to see if its their own thats burning. when they see its some one else's they'll holler and laugh as though it tickled them. mine has not burnt yet of any consequence. The Majors got fire yesterday and burnt his tent so that he will have to get another. I forgot to tell you almost of an alarm in camp New Years eve between twelve and one. the bugles sounded the "pack up" call and orders to be ready to march at a minutes notice were given. we got orders to pack every thing but our tents, but a countermand came soon / after so we did not go to any trouble. I did not know that anything happened till the next morning when I got up. Wheaton's Brigade packed up and went off are away now we dont know where nor do we know what it was that caused the alarm it is thought it was a raid on the railroad thats all we know about it.

 

I think I would liked to have been to that shin surprise dig of Henry Bates' were the gentlemen any more plenty than on former occasions or were they in as good demand as ever. I dont wonder that there is no improvement in his appearance. If a man is a mind to be mean here he can and he will show it too. The officers with hardly an exception drink the worst kind there is nothing to attract them any other way, so they lie day after day in their tents and drink whiskey. most of them will be miserable coots after the war is over if it ever is.

 

I do not know the man you speak of in battery G. We supported that battery at Fredericksburg. they lost heavily in their first position but after they changed to another they did not have any loss. We lay where we could see the effect of both batteries upon each other being about half way between the two a little to one side in the rear of the 3^rd battery. all three together made quite a little racket.

 

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There aint many women here that wear hoops they all hold to Sara's fashion and look about the same as her tribe. in the summer time all the women go barefoot well dressed in other respects Its all the same clear up through Maryland and Penn. But I guess I will stop by writing you a merry Christmas and happy New Year If its too late for this year just remember it for next If you please you may tell Ma a few more of her pens would be agreeable I have got a gold pen and silver case one of the boys let me have the other day that I like pretty well. he let me have it two weeks ago wanted me to try it and see how I liked it. I dont see as he is ever going to come after it and I dont care if he never does.

                                                                                               

Lowell C Cook.

 

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term of service I should like to talk matters over a little but I cant at present Do you suppose I could manage a farm dairy and all alone I might work out doors fair weather rainy days tend to the milk butter &c wouldnt that be a good plan I might take a contraband home with me to do the inside work. How about that

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