Near Hancock Station Virginia

Dec. 12^th 1864.

 

Kind Friend William

                        I received your very kind welcome letter this morning. I was much pleased to get a letter from you. I am always glad to receive letters from Westford. it seems you have been to Bedford visiting. of course you had a good time I was please to hear from the folks at home. you said you saw two of my sisters. they were all well. I havnt heard from home for nearly two weeks. I dont know the reason. must be they have forgotton Park. I tell you I havnt forgotton them this cold weather, this will make a soldier / think of home if any thing will. we are having very cold weather now. the wind blew very hard all night last night. I never knew it to blow much harder in my life. there is about half an inch of snow on the ground. I tell you it is rough soldiering. this is the last winter we poor soldiers of the Bloody 11^th will have to stay out here. only about Eight Months longer to stay. I long to see that pass away.

 

Well Willie you say you are going to have a Levee pretty soon. I wish I was where I could go. perhaps I will get a mule and trot up. wouldnt I look pretty riding a mule through Westford. I should really like to call in about time you get together, to see the "pretty Galls". (Hem) if I could get a furlough possibly I would be there. / no use talking. it is impossable. I shall probably call round some time next year. you asked me if I had heard any thing from Nellie. no, I havnt heard from her nor I dont expect to either. I have waited to long to get a letter now. probably she has forgotton there is such a fellow in the world. I dont know as I care much. you can just give her my respecks when you see her. tell her I am O.K. all the rest of the Galls. Well I think I have written nonsense enough for this time I must tell you what I witnessed Saturday afternoon. I saw two young fellows hung by their necks untill they were dead. most of the Division was present. these smart looking fellows were hung for trying to desert into the Rebels lines. / they found shooting didnt do any good. so these fellows were sentenced to be hung by their necks untill they were dead. it was a solemn sight to behold. I never saw any one hung before the band played a very solemn piece of music. one of the fellows smoked a cigar all the time going to the gallows. the other fellow felt bad. they kissed each other before they had their faces covered up. I never want to see any one else hung. I hope I shall never have occation to. Well I think I have written about as much as you will care to read this time. therefore I will bring to a close. please excuse mistakes, poor writing &c. &c. Give my Love to all the folks with a share to yourself. I should be pleased to hear from you soon again.                                              

 

From your Friend

Edmund P. French.

 

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Direct your letter the same a usual. Park.

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