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My Board is better here than it has been before, as I muss with the Surgeons Allen & Childe and the Chaplain Steward and Warden; they furnish butter and some such things freely, and for Thanksgiving dinner, we had a chicken stew, so it was some like home. They had Turkey for dinner to day, but I did not eat any of it or anything else, but I had a good appetite for supper.
I hardly like to send home for any things when I can get them as well here as there but sometimes things from home do one more good than they would from any where else, and you keep writing to know if I need any thing; in the way of clothing, [we?] have [underline]enough[/underline] except mittens, and [underline]they[/underline] can be bought here, but things pass through so many hands before they get to Camp that the prices are exorbitant. I small box can be sent here at slight expense, and if it is not asking too much, I would like you to make up one of any thing you like, only do not forget the two pairs of mittens, one of those baby cheeses, a bottle of molasses or some maple sugar and any thing else you may think of, which I would like, and I will call and settle, some day, I wish you could send a good [larde?] loaf of Brown Bread, but do not know as it would keep long enough, to get here; direct the same as you would a letter, and it will be left at our Co. all [straight?]. Write very soon, and tell all about home and things about there, forewell for to-night mother says
Thy Son
William
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P.S. I got a letter from Timothy not long since, he was well but did not write much news, also one from James, which I must answer soon; one from Ann answered to-day; where is Jane that she does not write me
love to all
W.B.S.
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Camp Griffin Fairfax Co. Va. Twelfth month. first 1861.
Dear Mother,
Thy and Thos.' good letter was duly received, and right glad was I to hear from home once more; it had seemed a long time since I last heard. Since I wrote you, I have moved down to the Reg. into a Hospital Tent; we have a Tent large enough for sixteen cots, and it is full all the time; the house where I was before is still running, but the Dr. told me I could have my choice in the two places, and rather seemed to want me here, so I came. He is very kind to me, and so are all whom I am with; if I am not well, they send me away to rest, and get someone to take my place. George Blaisdel, who was at our house sawing wood once, and was in our Co., died the day before yesterday and another of Co. G. died this morning
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These are the first of G. and I hope they may long be the last. The latter one was one of the St. J. Squad, and a fine young man too; his disease was Typhoid Pneumonia, and his sufferring for breath extreme; George died of a fever connected with some other things which I cannot name, as I have not heard; he was at the [underline]house[/underline], so I did not see him. The health of the Reg. generally, seems to be improving, though the few cases we have now are more dangerous ones than before and deaths are more frequent; the Reg. can muster more men for duty now than for a long time before. I am very sorry for poor [Lorind?], if thngs are as bad as thee fears; sincerely hope they are [underline]not[/underline] so. Geo. T. really seems to be prospered, and I am very glad for him. I am pleased to hear that Capt. F. is so [underline]very well[/underline] liked, [underline]there[/underline]. Isaac is surely the best Officer in the Co. and deserves much praise for his promptness and energy; he comes very justly by these necessary (in his [underline]position[/underline]) traits.
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We were paid till the first of last month, last Second day; I shall not send any money home at [underline]present[/underline], as I was in need of a [/underline]watch[/underline], and had what was called a very favorable chance to buy one, so invested, a share of my pay in that way; H. & I went to the City. Third day and I made some other purchases there so, I have not much left, more than I may need before we are paid again. Thee seems to fear still I shall not be wholy truthful, about myself, so I will make a clean breast of it, as I [underline]have before. I am sick; I have quite a cough[/underline], and some [underline]headache[/underline] to-day; have done nothing in the Hospital since morning, and need not till I get ready to do it, which I hope will be soon. The Dr. gave me some medicine to-night and got another man to take my place till I get well, so I am all right, I think and as thee drives me to tell it thee need not worry about me.
