Camp near Richmond Dec 12^th/64

 

My Dear Cousin Lizie. After a crowed passage for five days we arrived in Richmond. We missed the connection at Greensboro, N.C. and remained there from 3 ^oclock P.M. till 3 the the next morning. I wrote to cousin Jimy from Augusta but had no news to write We had a snow on the night of the 11^th but is mostly all gone now and the sky is as clear as you ever saw it. It is very cold the ground being frozen four or five inches deep and still it freezes. The wind feels like it would cut off ears and nose in an instant if not sooner. The Soldiers are in fine health but complain of short rations /

 

I have not suffered for anything to eat since I got back though I find it quite inconvenient to put up with two meals per day especially after feasting as I did on the good things at home. We can manage to live a little better when we are paid off, money is very scarce with all the men they having received no pay in over four months. Mr Trenholms mill for turning out Confed treasury notes needs oil. There was a man in the 20^th Ga Regt to be shot to day at 5 ^oclock for desertion but was reprieved by the President this morning. His coffin was brought out from Richmond and arrangements made for his execution when the pardon came from Mr Davis /

 

This was the first instance of the sentence of death being pronounced on any man in our brigade. I hope it will have a good effect. The suspense must have been awfull for the last week as the execution was postponed a week ago till to day at 5 oclock. I found Samy looking as well as you ever saw him and at work with an axe makeing a pair wooden hinges for a door. I found him in need of socks but he would take only one pair I gave Warren Clark, Ben Clark & Ben Martin each a pair Wingfield also got a pair and they all thank you most sincerely for them I have still a pair left that I will give some old Rebel before night. I put on a pair / that you gave me this morning as it was so cold I thought I could not find a better time for them. I just missed a severe march in the snow by being a day too late for it. The Boys found the strongly entrenched and skirmished with them awhile our loss was one killed & five wounded we captured 30 Yankees. What has become of Sherman I see nothing in the papers from Georgia. I still think he will be destroyed with his army. I heard after I left Augusta that we had 4000 troops to pit against him Gen Beauregard left Augusta on the same train that I did on his way to Savannah. How is Mrs Wiley now Give my love to all your family Cousin Jimy & Moses. write soon to your aff Cousin                       

S.P. Harris

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