Ambulance Park, 3^rd Div. 6^th AC

To the Left of Petersburg, Virginia.

Jan 1^st 1865.

 

My Dear Mother & Father,

            A Happy New Year greeting

 

            I hope you are today enjoying yourselves and most earnestly hope John has more fully recovered from his illness, but I hope to hear from you soon & to hear you are both in health once more. It is a very quiet New Year in camp and being the Sabbath & the major portion of the men in comfortable shantys no work is being doing outside of their regular line of duty such as caring for their teams &c. &c. although there is enough work yet to be done to our / stables & policing our camp to keep us busy two weeks and we Sergeants hav'nt finished our dwelling house yet as the door is yet to hung and one gable end to put in also a floor to be laid & bunks to put up. at present I am putting up with my old mess, comprising the 14 Jersey that is I sleep with them & mess with the non commissioned staff. We had oysters for our New Years dinner & as a matter of course I had a poor appetite for them, ha ha but I guess I done my duty, if the Boys could have a word to put in.

 

            The weather is clear but very cold. All is now quiet along the front. But yesterday morning the enemy surprised / our pickets, driving a portion of the line back & capturing a number of prisoners killing two & wounding two belonging to the 9^th New York Heavy Artillery attached to the 2^nd Brigade of our Division, but our men rallied and drove them back capturing four. those taken said the reason they charged was to get hard tack & some over coats & blankets &c for they were cold and hungry over there. they succeeded in getting about 60 coats & blankets.

 

            I was at the Regiment day before yesterday and found the Boys well. I didn't see anything of Eseck. I shall try for a furlough some time this / month. I wish you could send me a few stamps as soon as you write again. give my regards to all the neighbors & friends

 

            My love to relatives who may chance to enquire, but not without. I believe there is nothing more I have to say at present. May the Good Lord bless & preserve you & now I close with love. do write soon & believe

me Truly Your Dear Boy

In the Armie.

Albert C Harrison

Sergt Amb Corps

3^d Div 6 AC

Washington DC.

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