Camp Vance Dec 24^th 1861

Carolina City N.C. 26 Regt NC Vol Co. H

 

Miss Sarah J. M^cDonald

 

Dear Miss

With pleasure I resume my seat to day to drop you a few lines in answer to your very kind and most welcom letter that came to hand the 20^th inst. I was much pleased with its contents, yes better pleased with it than with any letter that I have seen yet because it revealed a more feeling sympathy for me than any other and I return my thanks most cordialy to you for your kindness in making such a liberal offer but I believe that I have clothing aplenty to do me this winter I recd the towel that you sent me most thankfully. (I received a box of clothing from home about 1 month ago) /

 

you said boys was scarse about Reedy Branch but I expect they are as plenty as the girls is about here I have not spoke to a girl since I left More county. I would like to spend christmas about Reedy Branch if I could but I see that we will have no holidays this christmas

 

            I sent my likeness to you by M^r Kelly Williamson to Carthage, but it is not very pretty if you will put it on a stump about the house it will keep hawks off for I dont think they can stand the looks of it if you don't like the loocks of it please do not make fun of it for the artist done the best he could and it is rough enough after all

 

            this leaves me and all the company in tolerable good health except three or four M^r R. P. Willcox has Typhoid Fever but he is mending one or two others has the Dyspepsa it is likely they will be discharged from the Co. /

 

I have no news of importance to write this time nothing of intrest has occurd in this vicinity We have got out of bogue Island we are in camp between Morehead and Carolina Cities near the latter place we are busily at work building our winter houses which we will finish in a day or two.

 

I reckon I'd better close this badly writen letter as I have nothing more to write and will soon have to go to drill

 

please excuse bad writing and all mistakes write soon as you can for I will be pleased to hear from you often                                              

 

Your affectionate friend

Noah Deaton

 

my faithful heart shal still renew that faithful look of thine, though many miles apart we be when this you see remember me

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