Camp 19^th USC Troops

Chapins Farm Va

Jan. 8^th 1865

 

Cousin Abby

            Your last letter was recd in due season and I take pleasure in this first opportunity to write you a few lines in return

 

            We have changed camp since I wrote you before and are now on the north side of the James

 

We moved here the last day of December and have been hard at work since in building quarters so as to make things comfortable

 

            We had a rough time moving. It rained all day and had rained all night before so we had to wade in the mud and water to the tops of our boots the whole way, seven miles, and when we got here we had not a shelter / to go into. Many of the men had lost their shoes in the mud on the way and were entirely barefooted.

 

            About the time we got here the wind had changed to the north west and the rain changed to snow and the prospect was blue enough. At this time Capt. Babcock, Comdg the 9^th USCT, which was in camp with us at Benedict Mo. last winter came and took our Regt up to their camp which was but a short distance off, and stowed us away for the night.

 

            We then thought we had fallen into the hands of good Samaritans indeed. The other Regiments of our Brigade were not so fortunate and had to weather it all night.

 

            We have got things fixed up quite comfortable now, ready for another move this being only the forth time / we have built winter quarters this winter. Our duty is not so heavy at present as when we were at Bermuda Front. Every thing has been very quiet here so far our pickets and the rebs stand facing each other a few yards apart but no firing on either side

 

I suppose you are having cold weather, plenty of snow and good sleighing about this time while we are wading in mud and enjoying the the other luxuries of Virginia climate

 

            I am comming home for a few days as soon as I can get leave but when that will be I can't tell. I expect it would be lonesome there now There has been some changes since I were at home but perhaps I might while away a week without any difficulty

 

            Probably a [?] opperations are out here for the present and / we have only to prepare for the grand opening in the spring which I trust will result in the speedy [?] of this rebellion

 

            You must excuse the staleness of this letter for I have really nothing to write so I will close and wait the pleasure of hearing from you

                                                           

Remember me to all

                                                                       

Your cousin

Fred

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