Augusta: William F. Brand to Amanda C. Armentrout,
January 2, 1863
Summary:
William writes to Kate of camp life giving specific information on his messmates
and the health of friends in the army.
Miss A. Kate Armentrout
Greenville
Augusta County
Virginia
Miss A. Kate Armentrout
Jan 2th 1863
Camp Winder
My Dear Friend
It is with pleasure that I again seat myself to drop you a few lines I arrived safely in camp Monday last. I was very glad to see
the boys and they seemed glad to see me with them again
My health has been very good since I left home I thought Saturday night in
Staunton was one of the loneliest nights that I ever
spent I had a very nice time coming down on the cars I had very little or no
trouble with the box for Jake he would make me eat a meal or two with him for
fetching it down to him I mess with Christ Abe Trotter Lightner Abury &
Bretton there is some talk of
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us forming a
new mess I suppose you have heard of our victory in
Tennessee I think the picture of our Confederacy is brightening and I hope before long we will be a free and independent people the army is in the very best of
Spirits the boys are mostly speculating as soon as Plunkett brings a load the
boys buy him out & then sell at a small profit I believe Abe has made
twenty Dollars today. Well they had one on guard last new years night the boys all said if they had have been in my place thay would have stayed
until after New Year I am
very well satisfied that I have got back to the
company We have a very nice camp
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and I hope we may stay here for some time we are in eight miles of Ginnie Station
We have plenty of wood but the water is not very good, I
was very much obliged to you for the fine pickle you sent me to eat on my
departure from Greenville. You ought to have seen me part with Hattie I know you
would have sent me a larger pickle. I found Cous, Jimmie looking rather badly he
has not been well for some time I gave him the apple as you requested with your
sympathies in his late distress. I found Bros, Charles & John well and hearty I have taken a very bad cold since I returned to
camp put hope it will soon wear off I have been very
cheerful ever since I
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got to camp
there is no news of importance to write I expect we
will have to go on picket tomorrow The boys are mostly
all well Curg is looking splendid. John Meeks arrived in camp today our Company No. over forty for duty I would have
written sooner but we had to move and then build us bunks oh kate how often I think of you, and wish
for the time when I may be your true and constant companion you are constantly
with me in my dreams be cheerful my Kate for by the
will of providence I will soon return write soon as I am always glad to hear from you goodbye my
one dear Kate as it is almost dark
from your true and affectionate friend
Willie Boy
