Camp of the 3^d Division 3^d A.C.

Ambulance Train. Brandy Sta. Va.                 

Jan 3^d 1864

 

Dear Mother.

            It is Sabbath afternoon I will take my pencil and scratch you a few lines, as my ink is played out. I forgot to tell you to put a bottle of ink in the box, but I can get some at the Sutlers when I go over to camp. This leaves me in excellent health & I hope finds you all in the same enjoyment.

 

            Now Mother I suppose you want to know if / the box has arrived. well it has not yet made its appearance, although I have been looking for it the last three or four days. I went down to the Station yesterday and searched around but saw nothing of it, but I guess it will be along in a day or two. I did not intend to write until I had received it, but I thought you would be rather anxious to hear from me. the weather is so cold I dont believe anything in the box would spoil if I didn't get it in / three weeks. I was at camp last Saturday & found the Boys all right side up. Foster and Hartshorne are also expecting boxes from home. theirs have been on the road longer than mine has, they were stewing terribly about them for they had boots coming. I can feel thankful to Akley that he brought mine, for they have been of good service to me already travelling through this Virginia mud, and if I never get the box I will be sure of the boots 

 

when you write let me know what kind of a box it was & how you directed & if you got a receipt for the box, send it. I expected some of the Boys would be over to see me today but they didn't come. its so cold they dont like to go out any better than I do. I wish you could look into my cabin. you would say if I froze to death this winter it would be my own fault. I have been putting on two extra logs on my building, mudded it good both outside & in, then lined on the inside with / old feed bags. I drew two new pieces of shelter tent the other day, and now I have my roof double. the two of us have two blankets each (wool blankets) one under us & three over. well now I can tell you, we live and when that box comes we will live still better. I am all anxiety to see it, for I want some buckwheat cakes the first thing, ha, ha. Well Mother there are not so many going home on furlough as there was. it is played out for about thirty days. it seems they are giving thirty days furlough to men that reenlist for three years longer, the three years commencing / at the expiration of their two years, but I believe they can't give me any furlough under those circumstances. I would like to come home very well, but I believe I will not be sold for a furlough. I will serve my three years out first & then if I want to enlist again, why I will do so without compulsion. I can just stay with Uncle Sam as long he has got a hard tack. thats whats the matter. I only wish every one felt as well contented as I do. all I want is enough to eat & wear & that I have always had, but when they go to pinching my belly then they get my dander up instantly / But I must now close & get some wood. write soon & give my love to John & any enquiring friends & neighbors. May the Lord be with you all and that to bless.

                                   

Your loving and

Affectionate Son, Albert

Amb. Corps 3^d Div. 3 A.C.

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