Camp Wigfall, Dec 24^th

 

My Dear Sister

                        Your letter came some days ago, but I had received some previous to it, which I was oblidged to answer first, but having nothing to do to day, I thought I would amuse myself writing to you.

 

Tomorrow is Christmas, and I expect to spend the poorest Christmas I ever spent in my life, particularly as I will be on guard all day, and in future I will always know how I spent Christmas day, 1861, however I will make the most of a bad bargain, and try to have a good time / any how. I do not suppose you all will have much better, owing to the exigencies of the times. Some of the men have gone out to day to get eggs, and whiskey, and will have a big egg-nogg, and as fine a dinner as the country will afford. Tell Cousin Tom he must be sure and bring me something good to eat. Tell Zack I will write to him soon, but that I am almost ashamed to do so now, it has been so long since I received his letter. Where is Uncle H[?] company now. I would like to write to Johnny but I do not know his address. There is so little news here that I find it very difficult to fill out a letter. I have brought up this same excuse so often, I am / afraid you will cease to believe, but any how I can say for myself, that none of you can have any fault with the lenth of my letters, for they are as long as any of yours, I mean the family in general. Col Hampton thinks it probable that the enemy will advance to morrow, but I think it is all "gas", and I think I know as much about it, as he does. I am very much afraid Maj. Butler will leave us. he has been offered the Colonelcy of a Reg. in SoCa, and probably will accept it, and his place cannot be easily filled. he is a splendid Officer, and universally liked, by all the men, as well as the Officers. We have all been paid off this morning, but after I had paid all of my / debts, I found that out of 66$ sixty six dollars, I had only about twenty five left. I have heard nothing of Frank and his excellent company in some time. I suppose they have gone to ruin. How is Sister Mary I have not heard from her in a long time. I see the advertisement in the papers, that college exercises will begin in Jan. but I never expect to go back to college any more, for if I did I would be oblidged to take a lower class, and I never would do that. if I could take my same class, perhaps I would go back, but even then it would be doubtful as long as the war lasted. I expect to come home on furlough in two or three months. Love to all

                                                                       

Your aff Brother

Albert Elmore

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