Camp California Jan 20^th/62

           

Dear Father & Mother

                                                This is a very dreary looking morning—and oh! the mud. Our street is just about as muddy as the lane between you and Stirlings generally is in the spring. And where we face in for roll call it is shoe mouth deep—We have to stand about 15 min half past eight at night and six in the morning. It wouldn't be any better if roll call was in daylight—for there would be no use in trying to pick our steps—mud being on all sides. I am going down to town today—to get a pair of boots—if I can get any to please me—If not I will get you to have a p'r made for me. I must have a p'r—for it don't pay to get my feet wet every time I go out of the tent. 

 

I will tell you a little event that occurred to our mess on Sat.—not because I wish to boast of it—but it is something unusual for any of us to be on extra duty. In the morning we didn't hear the drums beating for roll call and when we did waken up the Sergeant was just calling the roll—and we saw that it was no use to go out then—as no one is allowed to go into ranks after they have commenced calling the roll. The consequence was, that we were all put on guard for 24 hours. Didn't relish it particularly, but never let on. I had been on duty the night before, and had got no sleep—however we were quite fortunate in one respect for we had the R.Road for our post and it was dry. Besides there was a car standing on the road and when it rained—we got under it keeping a sharp look out for the Lieut. of the Guard. 

 

We are just waiting this morning to get our pay—some of the companies have been paid off—and ours will be in a little while. It does not take long to pay a Co. as the pay rolls are all made out and the receipts signed before,— The Paymaster only having to count out each one's pay and hand it to him as his name and am't due is called out. We are paid in treasury notes—and for our two mos. we get a twenty-five—and one dollar in specie.

 

How do the notes go at home? Do the pass as well as specie?

 

Mr. Stouffer and Cy. went up to the Reserve on Friday morning—Cy. has not got back yet—suppose the bad weather has detained him. We are getting along with the box finely. The butter you sent is very nice. So are the cherries and corn. The sausage you sent was very good. / We rolled it in flour and cooked it well. I think I will be a capital cook by the time the war is over—I flatter myself that I can get up a tolerable good meal. Yesterday evening we had for supper a chicken boiled and dressing made with it, and some nice beefsteak. I wish you were here till you would eat a meal or two with us. Ask Geo. how we get along. I think you had better not send us any more boxes—for we live about as well as you do at home—and I suppose waste more. We use all the pork we get, to burn, and we have more bread than we can use. Since Fulton left our mess has saved about four pounds of sugar nice and white. I wish you had some of it. We get a share in two more boxes that are coming—one from Clarion Co, for Ed. and Charlie Smith and the other from their home. And some of the Saltsburgh ladies promised to send me one. So you see, we will get along first rate. 

 

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Alex bought a p'r of boots @ $5.00 Are dear but very good ones with quilted soles—Wils

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