and it matters but little how soon the rest go out of one hundred men we have only got 21 to do anything we used to think that the 21^st was small and it is growing on a begar very fast we only take out from 50 to 100 every time we have a battle we shall soon dwindle down to nothing and they that is left will be in the hospital I have not had time to go to the 15^th they are not far of I dont care much about visiting other Regts but I may take a notion to get discharged yet I am getting pretty well worn and I can never were a belt or equipments unless I put them on my shoulders and that wont pay these times if that should / happen I dont think that I should come directly home there is plenty of chances to make money out here and Washington is a pretty good place for that purpose I should not know that laurel you tell of allthough there is plenty of others there that I do know but I care but little about going anywhere what kind of slipers is an making what is the reason of Willards losing his stuff I am going to write to Cousin John tomorrow I dont here anything of papson I have received the spy of the 10^th it speaks pretty loud of the 91^st they had a mighty hard time of it I wonder if they had to eat raw beans for asking whilst round Hatteras as the / poor 25^th did poor things why is it that they are used so then there is the 96^th that is close by us the men dont grumble but take it cool and eat there rain corn just as though loved it they cant help themselves very well but they might if they had a quarter master that was worth a cent they cant have anything to eat if he dont get it for them they must take and carry a few wagon wheels up to his quarters and spike him to it then he will tend to his buis knock a few of thoes fellows down over at Q and it does them good the 10^th Regt has done the best of any of the Mass lot the 21^st must take the lead and the 10^th / comes next pansy head Regts aint worth anything here better take them home and baby them a while and then perhaps they can stand a small fire without getting smoked out well I haven't much news to write this time perhaps when I feel better than I do now I am not very low but enough dont worry for me for I shall come home some time and wish you a Merry Christmas

 

            Yours with love

                                                William P.

PS                                                        Hall

            I now will smoke my pipe a

            little while and then go to bed

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