Annapolis Dec. 17 1861

 

Dear Parents,

                        Our thanksgiving dinner arrived one day to late for thanksgiving, but it was just as good I suppose; the capt. set a large table in the street, and put the things on it. Friday evening. then the company all went at it. I believe they all had enough That on the table, was that which had no name on. I expect they had a pretty fine time, But as I was on guard I could’nt tell any thing farther than the cheers. When I come to get to the tent I found a pretty good share there with my name on. And some celery, which was first rate:

 

Monday [?] This is a raw cloudey morning we have just finished our breakfast, of bread, chicken, cofee, and they were all first rate too, Last Friday we were on guard Amos, Nate and myself. It was a cloudy morning / and a pleasant and warm afternoon. in the evening it was cloudy, and about ten oclock it began to rain, and from that time it began to rained until sunrise the next morning just as hard and as steady as I ever saw it. And we were not permitted to go to our quarters after leaving them one morning until we were dismissed the next morning, or at least those were the orders, so you may imagine wether we were wet any or not. my feet were wet from sun down or there abouts, until nine the next morning. (healthy) we suppose). as a consequence I took a slight cold, and as another I am going to the city if I can get off to get me a pair of boots for you know I cant go with wet feet if I do I am done. I see a very great prospect of sending my money home, but I think I shall use near all I get, from government. It is quite a difficult matter to get away from camp now adays. Friday the regiment was inspected. In the morning they had to / pack their knapsacks and go out and drill for two hours and a half. in the afternoon they had to go out and be reviewed by the General. after review they were all inspected their guns, cartridge boxes knapsacks every thing they possessed. That I got clear of by being on guard.

 

                        I have no more time to write now but will try and write again soon.

                                                                                    Yours &c W. L. Savage

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