December the 31^st A D 1861

 

Dear Wife

I embrace this opportunity of writing a few lines to let you know that I well at present and hoping that these few lines will find you the same I thought that I should see you in person instead of a letter but I could not get out but I think that I shall be out to see you before long but I thought for sure that I would have been able to be with you on new years for I wrote to Benjamin Forquer to come down that I would be at home on new years I hope that you / will be contented I am sorry that I have disappointed you would know me now with my cap and blouse on. I have had my likeness taken I should like if you had it there is great fuss here today the men wants their pay they are making a great noise here I do not think that they will make their case better for we will not get no pay as long as we are here I thought that you would have answered my letter before this I think that forgoten me or else you would have answered my this I would have wrote a letter before this but I was expecting a letter John Thomas and Edward Morgan have been in here a couple of times. We were all down in town sunday / to church with all our uniforms on My hands are getting cold and I must bring letter to a close I would like to see you very much I hope that I shall not pass another Chrismas and new years a soldier

           

From your affectionate

husband           William Rees

                       

give my best respects to my parents and Sarah

 

And so I wish you all a happy new year

 

We had to drill all day Chrismas

 

to his Wife Mary Rees

                       

yours truly

SOURCES