| 1863-01-16 | Camp opposite Fredericksburg, Va. |
| Camp opposite Fredericksburg, Va. Jan 16th 1863 Dear Parents This afternoon finds me trying to answer your most welcome letter of the fith inst. I was glad as I always am to hear from home but I was sorry to hear that you had not rec'd any letters from me since the 17th Dec. for I have written every week and sometimes twice a week except once then it was nearly two weeks but as a general thing I write every week regular. You spoke of sending a box of things. I am glad they are coming for I have written a letter for you to send me one but you have not probably got the letter yet. We had just commenced to build us a nice little cabin when the order came to be ready to march tomorrow morning so we suspended our labors and I am writing l presume for the last time from this old camp. I have no idea which way we are going but we shall probably find out soon enough for own good but supper is ready and I must stop for a short time. Well I have just finished eating as good a supper as the Soldier commonly gets but it savors well of US but I hope this war will soon end though there is but little prospect of it now but it is nearly time for the mail to go out and I must get this short note into the office before it is too late for todays mail. You spoke of my telling you where to direct the box. Direct it the same as a letter to be forwarded by the Express company and it will come but it may be delayed now on account of our being on the move but I must close with my love to you all. Please write as often as convenient to your Affectionate Son. J .D. Strait | |