Camp [105 H] Cavalry

                                                                                                Near Wincester Va

                                                                                                Jan 29^th ’65

Dear Sister Ella

                                                I received a letter from you last night, also one from father a few days ago, so I rather think it is about time for me to begin to think about writing although I havnt anyting very wonderful for news to impart. my health continues good, but just now I have got one of those sties, which/I used to be so famous for.

            The weather still continues cold although it is a little warmer to day I heard one man say who had just been home that he didn’t feel the cold near as much in Va as he did the night he got back coming from the Station so you see that it aint quite so warm here in the sunny south as it might be

            Chet got back last thursday night, was four days getting here. he says he wouldnt advise any one to go home just now but wait a month or so until it got through snowing or stopped for a day or two at least, as it snowed every day that he was at home but one or two. therefore I have come to the conclusion not to try to get a furlough just yet/& perhaps not at all for to tell the truth I dont care much about going anyway not but what I should like to see you all very much, but I dislike the coming back part of it & then you know that if nothing happens I shall go home for good in less that 8 months. it dont seem as though it was two years & a half since I put my name down does it? but it is & I wish it was three. you need not have any fears of my enlisting again this year at least.        

                                                Did you accept of that invitation to attend that singing school that you spoke of or did you not if it had been me I think I should have gone, although perhaps I shouldn’t have had the chance & I think according to all accounts that I shouldn’t/what do you think about it?

                                                Who in the world is Sarah going to marry. no one who knows her I am sure & is her father as well pleased about it as she is. I used to think that her husband would have to be something a little more than the common class of men according to his tell. Don’t tell him what I have said though.

            Dare you to think that Geo. Kiebler Esq. sent me all of 1/4 of a pound of tobacco by Chet. if I could see him I should return to him my most sincere thanks for his liberal donation but I cant afford to use up a sheet of paper in doing it, but I suppose I ought to be thankful for small favors (where they aint too small) & larger ones in proportion.

                                                Yes Ella I very often get out of subjects to write about & that’s what ails me now & I am going to give up in despair & finish this thing up it isnt quite as long as some but you cant help but admiting it is enough better to make up all other defisinces. give my kind regards to all enquiring friends & all the rest

                                                from

                                                            Merritt

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