Annapolis Dec. 4^th 1861

Wednesday eve. 8 o'clock P.M.

 

Dear Parents

            I recieved a letter from you last Monday and should have answered it or written to you before today, but I have been very busy since our Lieutenant was taken away. Every day we have to drill by the Batalion in the morning, and in Company drill in the afternoon. Instead of going out every afternoon under an officer drill, the Company is divided up into squads and each to put under a Sergeant and sent out to be drilled. well between the drilling and studying, to prepare myself to be able to drill I have spent all my time. I haven't written anything for a week nearly, and the last I wrote was home. I succeeded today in obtaining a pass to go to the city, got my shoes / fixed, a bought me a pair of boots, a very good pair of pegged boots, a very good price on them too. But I am in such a situation now that I have to do as I can, not as would, so I took the boots paid my four dollars and went back to camp. for sewed boots they ask seven dollars. We are to recieve our pay in a few days, and I am glad for I spent all mine this day.

 

We have a stove in our tent now, so it is real comfortable we can write and study now with comfort. Last night was a very cold night froze quite solid. yesterday afternoon it begun to freeze about four or half past so that it was quite chilly on dress parade. Some of the Regiments around here have been Brigaded among others the tenth Con. C.V.

 

In the first Brigade in Burnsides Division is the twenty fifth, twenty seventh, twenty third Mass. and tenth Conn. The twenty fifth Mass. has the right of the Brigade the tenth Conn. the left, considered the second best / position. Brigadier General Foster has the command of our Brigade. The eighth Ct. 51^st N.Y. 51^st Penn. and one other I forget which is in the second Brigade. I suppose you would like to know my position in the company and in line of Battle

 

[diagram]

supposed to be a Co         Capt

                                         1^st Sergt

second sg   1^st Lieut   third sergt & fourth Sergt   2 Lieut   fifth Sergt

 

In the line of Battle our com is the next two the left. I have spoken to W^m N Salter about writing; he says he is expecting to write when he can get time but he has so much writing to do. But sends his respects. I have just procured quite a quantity of paper and envelops. I dont know that there is any thing of importance that I want from home. You speak of my coming home it is out of the question I suppose that now in a few days at least within two weeks we shall be away from here. I should like to come very much. You need not be afraid of tell me to much for it seems as though I didn't get half what is going on. It time for me to close, and it is time to turn out to drill.

                                                                                   

Your aff Son W. L. Savage

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