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Assistant Quarter Master's Office, Head-Quarters, Smith's Division, Camp Griffin Va. Dec. 24th 1861
My Kind Friend -
I find time this evening to acknowledge the reception of your truly welcome letter and I hope to be thus favored as often as you can find it convenient. I will try to merit them, though my time is so taken up now and my attention so abstracted while writing that it is almost impossible to write anything logical or grammatical. I wrote to Mary some time since. In my letter to her I believe I described some things I saw in Washington. I shall have to write you Camp news, but I shall have to manufacture a garment out of a small pattern as there is but litle transpiring.
Our warlike operations are confined to drill, guard & picket duty, an occasional scout or foraging party. No fighting as yet and no prospect of any as I can see. We have had no orders to go into Winter quarters but winter is upon us, or rather the season which at home is winter, though the weather here has been remarkably fine, as mild and soft as September. Such weather meets my mind exactly and I hope it will continue. The health of the troops has improved.
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during it, and there are now less deaths reported. It is hard to be sick here in Camp and I cannot be too thankful that I have been so well blest in that respect. My health has not been better for a long time - since I commenced studying, and I think this cessation from study wil be very beneficial to me.
William's health is improving, I think, and could he be freed entirely from night work, would soon be well. I wish he could have as easy a position as I have. I am required to be in the office most of the time but don't have any hard work to perform, no lifting, no anxiety. Willie will soon be better off. I think he wll get a position in the Commissary's department. There he can get better pay have more agreeable duties to perform and be less exposed.
Dec. 26th 1861.
I was called from my writing the other day as I am liable to be at any moment, and have not found it convenient to finish. I might have done so last eve, but as I hadn't had a good chat with Willie for some time I spent the evening with him. We had a good sociable, I assure you as we always do. He was writing to you and kindly gave me permissin to send mine with it. I intended this for a whole letter to you in return for yours but I suppose it will make no difference
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provided you get it. That is the main part, no matter whose hand writes the inperscription.
Christmas has come and gone, and a very pleasant time it was with us. We had a splendid dinner, far ahead of our Thanksgiving, which I thought couldn't be easily beaten. Although the day has passed and it is a little out of date, please accept a "Merry Christmas" from an absent one, and a "Happy New Year" in advance. Your customary New Year gathering will find a few absent ones. Their return so much to be desired cannot be expected. Life in part is made up of separations and reunions, and the former but increases the pleasure of the latter. If it is so with earthly reunions, how unspeakable must be the joy of a reunion in a better and happier world where parting is unknown.
Our Regiment is now marching by. The Band is playing a splendid tune, and the regiment makes a fine appearance. They give our band the credit of being the best in the Division. Our Colonel is a splendid drill master and is liked very much by Regular Army Officers. The regiment is called one of the best. I can say nothing of our company as I do not see it once a month. I have but little to call me there.
William feels a little slighted because you made no mention of the whiskers and moustache he had
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taken so much pains to cultivate. Look sharp and perhaps you may see a [underline]pair[/underline] on his chin. I am glad to hear that our picture pleased you so much. I sent one home. Father said I needn't write that my health was good while my picture told a different story. He closed with some good advice about taking care of my health, all very good but in my case not needed. If he would write some advice for prevention of the accumulation of superfluous [underline]flesh[/underline] it would be more to the point.
McCall's men had a little brush with the rebels near Drainsville as you will learn by the papers. Two Brigades of this Division went out but were not in season to be of any assistance. The fight was about six miles from here.
December has brought us splendid weather, but one or two stormy days and those not cold. In my business I havnt felt the need of mittens yet. I hear you are having equally fine weather in Vt. It seems as though this weather was designed for active military operations, but I don't see them. Have you read Genl. Lane's speech made in the Senate lately. He speaks my mind on the inactivity of the army etc. I will close now. Next time I hope to be able to give you an account of a third visit to Washington. Please write me as soon as convenient. Remember me to all of my friends and for yourself & family, accept the best wishes of your friend
Henry.
[in left margin:]
P.S. Excuse the appearance of this. The paper is so greasy that I can hardly make a mark.
