Dechard. Tenn. Dec 3^rd/63

 

Dear Bro

                        Your welcome letter of 13^th Nov did not reach me untill the 30^th owing to its being directed via Washington. it takes a letter one week or more longer to come by that route than the other the reason I did not give the directions at that time was that I thought the folks at home knew where the Regiment was better than I did myself

 

We were paid a few days ago and I sent $40 home in a package with Lieut Matchett. I expect it will be received by you before this.

 

Since we have been with the Reg^t we have had a great deal of duty to do. Our Reg^t being the only one here we have to picket all the Country roads besides patrolling the Rail Road for 7 or 8 miles but we are more contented here than at Annapolis where we had nothing to do to pass away time. We have our log shanty built and have fixed ourselves off very comfortable

 

two of the conscripts of our Company have died lately at this Camp and two have died in Hospital. We have a poor set of men. the most of them are not fit for service some of them being dishcarged from other Reg^ts for Disabillaty and others coming out as substitutes thinking they would soon be discharged as unfit for service, they are a dirty set would wash their faces for a week if they were'nt made do it

 

the Officers have been trying to raise an excitement about / this reenlisting into "Veteran Service" but the men cant "see it". for my part I say let us get the rest of our three years in and then we can suit ourselves as to what we will do. it would'nt be fair for us to do all and not give the boys at home a chance to do something

 

I hear Johnny Jones and the rest of the boys in Harte's Company have reenlisted. I might do the same if I were in their place but our kind of soldiering is rather different from theirs

 

                                    nothing more at present

 

Give my love to Mother Sisters & Bro's to all inquiring Friends and some to yourself

 

                                                from your aff Bro

                                                                        Daniel Davis

 

                        Direct to

                                    Daniel Davis

                                    Co C 46^th Reg^t P.V

                                    2 Army Corps

                                    via Nashville Tenn

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