Jan. 6, ’63. Hd Qrs. 5th Baty[!] Me Vols. Camp near Fletchers Chapel.
Dear Mother:
… I do not know that I have anything to write except to let you know that we are alive and well. I was never better in my life than I am now. … For some reasons I should not object to see some rain, for I am afraid if it continues so fine they[!] will be tempted to move us further forward, that is if they can, and then if bad weather comes men and horses will starve. As it is we do not get hay for our horses more than one day in a week, and it is impossible for them to work on twelve pounds of grain alone. You have no idea how many horses are used up in the army. You can not go a quarter of a mile on any road without seeing one or more dead horses, where they have dropped down by the side of the road. We lost twelve last month, and we have nine more that are used up and have been condemned.. [Read more…] about January 6, 1863