Dec. 26^th

 

Dear Friend

            Your kind note of 21^st was rec^d too late for me to accept the kind invitation therein extended; this pleasure however, would have been denied me, had I rec^d it a day earlier, as the 'good lady' of our Brig. Q.M. is spending Christmas with him, and I have been in charge of the Dep't. We had just moved to a position three miles southeast of the C.H. and so I spent the day in building a chimney to my tent and making other preparations to keep from freezing this winter, for I think it will be long, cold & rainy 

 

My application remains in 'Statu quo' (acc. suspended) I hope that it may be ret^d app^d ere many days, as I am told that those of a deserving nature are now being "favorably considered". My anxiety to proceed to Charlotte on business, as soon as it may be ret^d must plead my excuse for not making you a visit just now. if, however, it comes back disapp^d you may look for me provided I can find you. Give me directions from the C.H. In the mean time, I shall be most happy to welcome you to my rustic habitation. When I return, I shall make a more pressing invitation provided I / can get up anything during my absence on which to feed you—for at present, we have short rations of meat and bread, and I find it almost futile to try to get anything through the Country.

 

            I think your observations in regard to the efficiency of many of our officers as stubborn [?] and I am beginning to dispair of any thing being done in Congress to relieve our finances or to keep the Army Foote ought to be expelled to send a more prudent man there in his stead. I noted that your immediate representative has opened his mouth and [faded] / Lieutenients, that all such places as Q.M. & C.S. should be filled by [?] and [?] gentlemen. I think if that is the best he can do the good of the C[?] would be promoted by his observing a Shit Solemn.

 

Come and see me.

 

"A merry Christmas and a happy New Year."

 

                                    Very truly yours

                                                John

 

[another hand]

 

26 Dec '63

Jno M [?]

SOURCES