Jan. 6, \u201963.\u00a0 Hd Qrs. 5th Baty[!] Me Vols.\u00a0 Camp near Fletchers Chapel.<\/p>\n
Dear Mother:<\/p>\n
\u2026 I do not know that I have anything to write except to let you know that we are alive and well.\u00a0 I was never better in my life than I am now. \u2026 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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 You have no idea how many horses are used up in the army.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 We lost twelve last month, and we have nine more that are used up and have been condemned..<\/p>\n
We have occasional reports that we are to move again soon.\u00a0 There may be no foundation for it.\u00a0 We have fixed up here very comfortable quarters, and I shall be sorry to leave them.\u00a0 I have not suffered any from cold yet, and I think I shall get through the winter as well in that respect as I would if I was at home.\u00a0 I have a very warm knit woolen sack.\u00a0 It is double and is a very comfortable garment.\u00a0 As for sleeping arrangements, Bundy and I have six blankets, and we have adopted Dr. Kane\u2019s plan of getting into a bag nights.\u00a0 I sewed up the edges and bottom of the upper and under blankets.\u00a0 It adds greatly to the warmth. \u2026
\nNow in regard to what we want you to send us, in the first place I want a pair of boots, of which the following is a description.\u00a0 I want the feet made of heavy calfskin double, with double soles, pegged.\u00a0 The legs I want large and long, and made so that they will be quite stiff, to wear outside of my pants.\u00a0 Perhaps grain leather would be better than calfskin.\u00a0 The shoemaker will know better than I.\u00a0 I will enclose the measure, as I want them large, and am not very particular about the fit.\u00a0 I think the shoemaker will not have any trouble with them.\u00a0 I want them made of the best material that can be had.\u00a0 They will be cheaper than the government boots for they do not last any time.\u00a0 Then I want a pair of calfskin slippers & two nice large silk handkerchiefs; the woolen cap I wrote you about, a package of Windsor soap, two blank books about six inches by four and a half an inch thick, two or three quires of letter paper and envelopes, two case knives and forks (if you could get some German silver \u2026 the iron ones rust so, a few pieces of flag-root, a few nutmegs, and as Harry has had to cook for himself, he would like, if you could get them conveniently, a small light frying pan and a coffee pot holding about three pints.\u00a0 Then, for packing, I would like some dried fruit, and you can put in any eatables that you like, and you may be assured we shall do full justice to them.\u00a0 I hope it will not be too much trouble to get these things and I want you to let me hear all the expense.\u00a0 Direct the box simply Charles O. Hunt, Washington, D.C. In care of Harry H. Lazelle, Messenger, Hartsuff\u2019s[!] Brigade.\u00a0 Get a receipt for it and send it on by mail.\u00a0 I wish you would send the receipt for that other package if you got one.\u00a0 Lazelle did not find it the last time he went to Washington.\u00a0 I hope he will bring it down tomorrow.<\/p>\n
Did you get that long letter I wrote just after the battle of\u00a0 Fredericksburg?\u00a0 You have not mentioned it in any of your letters.<\/p>\n
I have gone into the cooking line quite extensively lately.\u00a0 I can make splendid bread.\u00a0 Think of that.\u00a0 I make it up with yeast powder and shortening, and bake them (biscuit) in the ashes.\u00a0 They come out as plump and light as you could wish, and the ashes does[!] not stick.\u00a0 Imagine me on my knees kneading bread.\u00a0 If you send us some dried apples I am going to try an apple pudding. \u2026<\/p>\n