Dear Sisters, This morning finds us enjoying the quiet of camp. It is a beautiful sunshiny morning, though we have had some rough weather lately. A few days ago snow fell to the depth of three or four inches; since that time we have had heavy rain and the snow is now all gone.
It will soon be spring of the year. I have been thinking how you will make out about farming this
year. I don’t know of any possible choice for me or Jimmy either to go home to make any arrangements about the work. And I fear
the present call for soldiers will take the few who are still at home. If so, I fear it
will be very difficult to get plowing done. So, you had better begin soon and try to engage
some work. I think perhaps you can get Gregory to plow a few days for
you. He will want a horse to work, and by letting him have yours a part of the
time, you can get him to plow your corn land. Also, I think probably you can get
Uncle Jimmy Lindsey’s boys to assist you some.
I guess you have some molasses and bacon to spare, but be careful not to let too much go. Better to promise money, but I guess you have not that now; no difference if you haven’t. We will
make another draw the first of March and will send you some money then.
How
have you been making out about wood this Winter? I learn you have had very cold weather in
Carroll. Have you all good shoes? And how are
you making out any how? I am sorry that you have to depend so much upon yourselves, but it
is unavoidable now. I expect the late call will take Boyd too. If it does you will not have the advantage of
any new corn. If possible, have corn enough planted to make your bread, and corn
enough to make molasses to do you. If it should be a fruit year you would do well to dry as
much fruit as possible. But I hope I’ll get to go home before fruit gets ripe.
We are under a very close discipline here, indeed the discipline in our army
grows more severe every day, but I don’t care for that. Men who desert now will be
shot as the military law directs. I don’t know whether we will get to go back to
Western Virginia or not, but hope we will.
We have not been out of camp since we had the fight. I
wrote Father a letter giving an account of the
battle, which I suppose you have seen; therefore it is
unnecessary to repeat it in this letter. Lieut.
Worrell will start to Carroll to
day. I will send this letter by him to Hillsville. He is going on recruiting service.
I fear Stephen will have to go into the army this time. I will
write him a few lines on the last page of this
sheet, which I want him to see immediately. You must write very soon and let
us know what your prospects are for a crop and how you are getting along, also how much
money you will need and we will send it when we draw. I will direct this letter to
Stephen; perhaps he will be at Hillsville and can get
it sooner than you would. As it is about private matters,
don’t exhibit it out of the family. I and Jimmy are both quite well. Our fare is very good. Get plenty of pork here. All is quiet at present and I guess will remain so unless we stir up the
Yankees again. In the late fight they admit a loss of 300 killed and wounded;
ours does not exceed 50 men. Well, I will close. Good Bye.
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