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 fiew lines I arrived safely in camp Monday last. I was very glad to see
the boys and thay 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 lonliest 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 thare is some talk of
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us forming a
new mess I suppose you have hurd of our victory in
Tenasee I think the picture of our confederacys is brightning and I hope before long we will be a free and independant 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 thay had one on gard last new years night the boys all said if thay had have been in my place thay would have staid
untill after newyear I am
very well sadisfied that I have got back to the
company We have a very nice camp
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and I hope we may stay hear for some time we are in eight miles of Ginnie Station
We have plenty of wood put 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
simpathies in his late distresses. I found Bros, Charles & John well and harty I have taken a very bad cold since I returned to
camp put hope it will soon ware off I have been very
cheerfull ever since I
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got to camp
thare is no news of importance to write I expect we
will hafto go on picket tomorrow The boys are mostly
all well Curg is looking splendid. John Meeks arrieved in camp today our Company No. over forty for duty I would have
written soon but we had to moove 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 cheefull my Kate for by the
will of providence I will soon return write soon as I am allway glad to hear from you good by my
one dear Kate as it is almost dark
from your true and affectionate friend
Willie Boy
