Sunday Fairfax Station Dec 21^st/62

 

Dear Brother                                      

your welcome letter has just been recd and I hasten to answer it you see that we are some ways from Harpers ferry we left on a ten days march for fredricksburg to help Burnside the go on to Richmond we went eight days of it or to Aquia Creek when we heard of the defeat of the army of the potomac also that Jackson was after us we came to this place as soon as we could get here we have seen rougher times than any other regiment in the field we have had to live on three hard tack a day for some time and this cold weather we have had to sleep on the cold and frozen ground with nothing but our blanket to cover us four of the Portland company have been taken prisoners I will not mention their names just now suffice it to say you know two of them but we hope to all be home some / time or other then we can meet as before time the postage stamps were verry acceptable as I have no money nor any stamps if you will send me a few and keep an account of them or all that you send me I will pay you I heard from Loomis just before I left Loudon Valley he was well with cold hands and sore feet I feel bad enough you direct your letters right but we are in just cause give my regards to all the boys all send their love to you I hope you will try to take care of your health would that my pencil could tell you how I feel I have to be on picket about evry other day or marching fifteen or twenty miles for forty eight hours I have had nothing to eat our Officers say we will have to give up our cause I hope not

 

[margin]

 

I will draw to a close write soon I remain

 

            your Affectionate Brother George Palmer

SOURCES