Letter from William
directed to his sister Lucy
while in the Union Army
Newport News, Virginia
I received your very much welcome letter and was happy to hear once more from you, (and as we term it) the old folks at home, and that you were all enjoying good health or pretty near all. As for yourself, dear sister, I am afraid you don’t enjoy yourself very much, but courage is half the battle. Your letter found, and this leaves us enjoying one of the greatest blessings God has bestowed on us unworthy beings, for which I am so thankful to note here. I was very sorry to hear of John’s children being sick. I hope to hear of them in good health in your next.
Well, I swan! I didn’t suppose there were enough folks in America to have so many weddings but I guess what there is, little and big, old and young, are all hitching together and going for theirselves.
Well, when I read the letter to Peter, when it came to where you said you were jealous about the book, Pet says, “The little devil you only said that to see what I would say.” It seems to do Pete so much good to be remembered in your letters. Yes, he says,”Take a mother’s advice. It is the best advice a mother can give.” Yes, he says he couldn’t have the furlough, so he had his Christmas bum as he calls it, but whisky is not to be got, so he had to drink sweet cider.
But enough of this. Now for something good. (Christmas). Three besides myself, that is in this tent with me, the two Krom boys went in to have a Christmas dinner and a good one we had. It was not quite so pleasant as I was on guard. There is an old nigger wench lives close by here, so I asked her if she could cook a good dinner for us. She said she could, so I gives her some of the currants that came from home and blackberries and applies, and she made about as good a bag pudding as I ever ate, with brandy, and two good mince pies and hot biscuit, and two good baked chickens, a dinner fit for a king. All it cost us was a half a dollar a piece for four of us, throwing the berries in. I am afraid we won’t have as good a one on New Years. When I was eating the pudding, I new I was eating the fruits of Dear Mother’s labor, and it brought back memories of the times she used to doff on the old britches and scramble through the briers and bushes to gather fruit for the coming winter. Little did I think of the toil and hardships she endured for to make us comfortable and happy. Oh, how we ought to cherish and try to comfort our Parents in their old age.
Well, we have started to build sheds for our poor horses. They have stood out in the cold so far. We have had some cold rains and quite hard frosts but no snow. Well,, sister Lucy, I’ll thank you for the chestnusts and not Andy. I thought the young rogue had done mighty well to save that many. I think, with one and another of you writing it made it as interesting, (yes, and more so) than a Frank Greelie’s newspaper. Well, Lucy, if you keep on you will make as good a writer as any of ‘em. Andy puts on the finisher on every letter. I am glad to hear from him also, but Etty and tow headed Charlie don’t write any more. I used to get a letter from them occasionally. I guess they have stopped corresponding with me. I had a letter from Isaac B. Gaige yesterday. He says Andy is getting along first rate. He has bought a double barreled shotgun, paid 25 dollars for it. He must be going in for hunting now. Well, Andy, I get I kill more game with my revolver that you do with the old gun. Yesterday I shot a hawk and I have killed lots of plovers with it. I have killed two ducks but the hang of it is, I can’t get them after I have killed ‘em, as we have no boat, and it is blamed cold to swim after them. I can kill a rabbit ten rod almost every time. I have done it.
So poor rest Smith has gone under. ******************************
A feller is just as apt to die or get killed up there as he is here. If a feller is lucky he will go through this war and live to be an old man. *-* A feller never goes under till his time comes. We, as my ink bottle is gittin’n dry I’ll quit. Give my best respects to those who inquire after my welfare, especially to Mr. and Mrs. Darley. Wish them a happy New Year for me. Peter sends his best respects. Thomas unites in sending his never ending love to you all.
From you aft. Son and brother
Bill
We wish you all a happy New Year and many of them
P.S. Direct to:
William Moses
16th Indpt. N.Y. Battery
Newport News, Va.
In care of Capt. D. Hiller