December the 23^rd AD 1861

           

Dear Wife it is with pleasure that I take my pen in hand to write a few lines to you I received your letter last night with smith Sanderson it was dark when he came in We had a debate and we were hotly engaged therefore I did not get it till it was nearly over and when I did get it I had to go to speak i tore their argument all to pieces. I was glad to hear that you was more contented than before and giving your trust to the lord I am very contented here so far and I hope that you will remain the same I could not get a furlough to day though there was some that came in the same day that I came got a furlough but they had particular business yet I think / that I shall get one before new years but I will let you know before that I would have liked very well to have been with you tomorrow for dinner but I will have to put up with it. I think to have my likeness in my uniform which I will send up to if I do not come myself We not know when will here there is 25 gone out on furlough Jake has gone to I would have liked to been with you saturday night I was standing guard that night I am well at present and I hope that these few lines will find you the same I have just come from drill I asked the Captain this morning for a furlough he said that it was to late but I think that as soon as those come back that I can get one then for the most of the Company has been home With I think there is only / four or five that has not been at home with their uniforms and I am one of them I tried my best to get home before Chrismas but I could not I would like to see you very much I hope that you are comfortable these cold nights. We had a great debate here one night the question was which would a man do most for whiskey or for woman I took the woman side it is getting dark and I must bring my letter to a close. answer this letter as soon as you can for the time seems long without getting a letter

                                                                                               

yours truly

from your affectionate

husband William Rees

to his wife Mary Rees 

 

A D 1861 December the 24^th

Dear sister i take my pen in hand to answer your kind letter of yesterday I was glad to hear that you was well and enjoying yourself firstrate I am well at present and as harty as a buck. I write love letters and many such things. With debates I have a firstrate time of it though after all I would rather be at home than at Camp. I have got a pair of shoes but they are sewed and therefore they so good to keep mud and snow as boots. I could get a pair of boots at town for $4.25 they are I can trade the shoes for part payment for $1.25 I would like to have a few dollars if you please

 from your brother William Rees

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