No 35 Home
Chattanooga Tenn Dec. 18 1863
My Dear Friends
As I have a good oppertunity to write this afternoon I thought that I would improve it & answer yours of the 5th of this month. I would have answered before but I have not had time enough or a good chance. We are haveing some very changeable weather here just now. day before yesterday morning it was very cold & cloudy. during the day it cleared off so it was quite warm & pleasant most of the day. that night we had as hard a thunder storm as you have in July. yesterday morning it cleared off again and last night was colder than / any other night we have had. to-day it is pleasant but a cold raw & freezeing wind. tomorrow it may be warm enough to have another thunder storm. There is no news of any importance. they keep us to work on the forts yet. it will take some time yet to finish all the works around this place.
The other night I received a package of papers in which was the suspenders. I am very much obliged to you for sending them as my old ones were completely used up. I shall look for Dr Fuller every day now as I was told by one of the Pioneer Brigade boys that went out of our regiment that they expect him back the first of next week. I shall need my boots very much this winter as we have such changeable weather a person can hardly / tell when it is going to rain or be pleasant. There is a very great demand for boots here. custom boots are worth from $16. to $25. per pair. Sutlers charge for store boots from $12 to $25. per pair and they wont were one winter. clothing of any description is in great demand, shirts, socks & drawers are asked for most. I dont see why Goverment dont get through a greater supply for our regiment we have received just 30 pair of socks since we came into Chattanooga, about enough for one company. each company got 3 pair apeice. as I had not worn or rather had any to wear since we came here I got one pair, which I think will last me untill your home made ones get here. I would rather have one pair that you make than a half a dozzen pair of goverment socks. /
I dont see why I dont hear from A. E. Bates. I think it is time that I did. one of the boys that sent with me has heard from his so I know that it has got through all right. the amount I have sent thro will make $220. on hand. I think we will be payed next month again as we will have to settle up our clothing account up to the 1st of January. I have $18. due me for clothing that I have not drawn. after this next payment I dont think I will draw my pay untill I am discharged. if nothing happens I will send $50 this next time, although we are not payed for only two months
Does George send home any of his pay? if he does not what does he do with it. When did you hear from him last. I dont see why he dont write to me. I would write to him if I knew where to direct to. but my fingers are cold & I must close & go & warm them. write soon & often.
Yours as ever Frank
Send me the morton with that letter