Camp Matthews Dec 31^st

 

Dear Brother

                        I received your letter on Thursday of last week but as you had promised to write on the day after Christmas I thought I would wait until that letter reached here before I would answer them but now as the promised letter has not arrived I suppose Ill have to write myself. our Regiment was formed this morning for muster preparatory to payment. on mustering day every man in the Regiment must be on the ground, so that the Col may see that the Rolls are correct before they are sent to Washington. We expect to be paid on the 7^th or 8^th / of next month. after dinner our mess went out into the woods to cut wood to fix up our tent. we’ll all remember the last day of this year 1861. This evening [?] Matchett received a box from William Head. In it was a Bible, a package of capers some fruit cake & a jar of jelly for Joe from Bill. there was also a jar of currant jelly & fruit cake for me from Mrs Head. I can tell you the way [?] has lived for the last few weeks could not be beat by any one in camp. We had a great supper on Friday evening last. there was 10 of us our mess & G. Davis, John Davis Robert Wilson & John Moore We had a good time of it on the chickens, fruit cake & tea We’ll have another family / dinner to morrow and and as New Year comes only in every twelve months I rather think well have a right smart time on it

 

no more at present

 

Give my love to Mother Sisters Brothers, to Mrs Richards & Family to Mr Jones & Lady to all inquiring Friends and receive the same yourself from your aff Brother

                                                                                                                        Dan

 

PS Bob Wilson has just started on the Methodist Hymn and I guess Ill go and join in

                                                                                                                        DD

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