No 1 for January 1865

Hd Qurs 'E' Co 38^th Wis Vol

January 3^rd 1865

 

My Dear Friends

                        Your kind letter of Dec. 22 was received in due time and as I will not find any better time to answer it than this evening I thought that I would do it.

 

Christmas, The Hollidays and New Years has come and passed and every thing is quiet along as ever along the lines.

 

Christmas was rather cloudy in the morning but before noon it was very pleasant. we had visitors from the 5 Wis of the 6 Corps during the week. it stormed quite hard New Years eve. The Officers of 'E' Co thought that they would watch the Old Year out, so by passing / the time in playing"chequres" singing and talking of what we imagined was going on at home, of old times gone by and the many happy ways we have spend the Holadays, at 12 P.M. we all wished each other a Happy New Year hopeing that another New Year would find us all at home and the Rebellion a thing of the past. The next morning was cold but pleasant. I got a new blouse that I had sent for up to Washington for by the Sutlers who came from City Point Va.

 

            I was very sorry to learn of the sickness of Uncle and Sarah, but hope that by this time that they are well again. I have been thinking of applying for a leave of absence for 30 days as soon as I can get my Ordnance returns made up for the last Quarter.

 

            My ankle is no better, if any / thing it is worse. I get about discouraged sometimes with it. I was hurting it every little while and that put it back again. otherwise I enjoy prety good health. sometimes I get a hard cold but that dont last long.

 

            It commenced snowing about noon to day and has kept it up every ever since. by the looks out doors it we will have considerable snow by morning.

 

            There is no news of any importance. Rebel deserters continue to come in. last night some 128 of them are reported to have come in. they all talk as if they were tired of the war and that the Confederacy has is about gone up, are down on Jeff D. and dont say much about "Lee as Dictator"

 

            I am looking very anxiously for that diary and postage stamps / I am useing a little blank space in my old diary thus far as I have some but it wont last long. I hope it will be along soon. I hope you wont discontinue those papers for I always look for them with considerable interest. I am not so particular about the New York Tribune for we have the "Daily Herald" here almost every day, but State and home papers I want as often as I can get them.

 

Hiram has sent me severall Madison papers, and I have failed to write him. I shall get at one of these days. I am ashamed that I have neglected them so long. I am in hopes that they will take the [?] out of this army but I dont see any way for them to do it just now. if they will take us out of the trenches here I will be satisfied. Well I will close wishing you all a "Happy New Year" you must give my best respects to all who may enquire for me. Love to all who are at home.                                        

 

Yours as ever

Frank

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