Camp Kellog Dec 11^th/62

 

Dear Brother

          I was happy to receive your letter of the 6^th.

 

When we got to the rapids we found the snow was two or three inches deeper here than in Saginaw. There is skateing on this river or was but it has been thawing two days & it is raining now.

 

I was glad to receive that money for my skates who did you send sell them to I supose you are haveing a fine time skateing now days.

 

Henry how thick is the ice on the river I should like to be there and have a good skate but if we stay here I shall try & get a ferlough duering the holidays so that I can have one more good skateing time with / you this winter

 

Father said that it was quite cold there & he wonderd how I got a long. tell him that it has not been very cold here yet & we have got in to the new barracks & they are more comfortable than the old ones. at first we made a row because our barracks had no floor in & onley two stoves in them those are set in the middle in a little opening twelve feet wide extending acros the building & this place is onley for four companies to warme themselves by but we are very comfortable here now. I have got my tick & pillows filled with straw so that Charley & I live like gents by the sid of most of the boys. Charley has jest come in off of guard but he had a good rubber blanket so that he did not get / wet. The Capt has just come & while I am writeing. we are Co. C. on his account because he was not here to see to it, therefore you may direct your letters hereafter to Co. C.

 

I suppose you are aware that the sixth decamped Tuesday afternoon & left Wednesday morning.

 

If you can sell my pistol I wish you would, & send me the money.

 

I wish you would tell Father that Joseph Parmerley who has a letter in the post office would like to have it sent to him Mr Powelson's wife has one also & he sayes that it is to be sent here to. I guess he wants it directed to him, she is at the hospitle.

 

There has been sum rain here lately so I suppose your skateing is gone down the river. 

 

The Col. sayes he expects we will leave here the first of next month, but I think if we get a way the 14^th we will do well.

 

I composed this letter last nite but send love to all.

 

From You Brother

 

P.S. Tell Charlies folks wheare to direct letters, Charley has got his letter all sealed & stamp on

W^m. G. Gage.

SOURCES