Camp opp. Fredricksburg Va. Jan 3/63

 

                        Your letter of the 28^th I received yesterday was very happy to hear from you But sorry to hear that you have no one at home to love you Ben’s folks have been down. Well I shall trouble him for that razor when I get home or else take it without troubling him for I intend to shave as I am in the practice of so doing now John shaved me this morning & I look as clean as a new pin. Did Ben make any arrangment about paying that mortgage if so let me know I am anxious that it should be paid and tell mother to make any arrangment she can to hurry up the matter. I should have liked to have been at home with you Christmas we would have enjoyed it. If they have any Christmases after this war is over we will engage a whole one & have one that is right. Another holiday has come & gone New Years. It came near being a bad day for me I was on Guard as Sergeant of the Guard The guard detail for a day consists of 2 Sergeants, 3 Corporals, & 36 men. 12 of the men on duty at one time for 2 hours when they are relieved by another 12 making it 2 hours on duty & 4 off These 4 hours it has been the practice during night for the men to go their quarters & sleep The practice has been in vogue ever since we left Norwich & I supposed it was their privilege so to do. The/Col. had been off some where & returned about 1 oclock New Years morning the men had gone to their quarters as usual I was on duty at the time. The Col. rode up and inquired where the men were I told him & he ordered me to report their names to him in the morning. In the morning he told some of the officers that he should reduce me & the other Sergeant which was Howard Miner to the ranks & punish the men I sent a report to him & the result was that no punishment was put upon the men or me but Howard not being in favor with the Col. was reduced to the ranks & now does duty as a private But neither He, me, or the men were to blame. for all supposed that the men had a right to go to their quarters to sleep when not on duty But in the case of Howard they only made that a pretext so as to reduce him He has given offence by being connected with the suttler since he has enlisted he has spent most of his time trading at the Sullters tent But say nothing of these circumstances farther than his being reduced to any one as it is not every one here that knows them As you wrote there are indications of another great Battle & if called upon I shall take part in it like a man. Ben spoke of my “playing off” I have got through with that business I am now a man & mean to act like one. He can can be a Damned rascall as long as he chooses. N.B. dont let him see that passage but read it to mother You wished to know whose Division I was in I am in Getty’s Sumner commands the Right Grand Division of the Army which consists of three Corps, among which is the 9^th Wilcox commands the 9^th Corps Getty commands the 3^rd division of the 9^th Corps. Harland of Norwich commands the 2^nd Brigade of the 3^rd Division & Old Burnside commands the Whole & I wish he would order us all to go home

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