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At some point in the history of the forum there was a thread about instruments used in camp for entertainment purposes. I came across this tonight:
Orange Court House, Orange County, VA
December 19th, 1863
Dear Friend
I am most happy to have this opportunity to write you again Christmas is near at hand & today finds me in the cold We are building winter huts but I am afraid that I will not have a cabin to go in to at Christmas. [illeg.] working hard to get it done I had hoped to spend this Christmas with you all but there is no such thing as that now. Adam will not get off either I wish he could get off but he and I will both get furloughs before the winter is over if they continue to give furloughs. I gave Adam the [illeg.] and butter the first day after I got to camp while on picket I had to go on picket the next morning I got here [illeg.] on the river toward Fredericksburg They awaited the enemy in rifle pits but instead of advancing they retired - as usual I saw Add the other day & he is well and hardy. he looks fine much better than he did when I left the night before he had a good reason George I am proud of my shirt that Josie made I appreciate your gift very much and in return I shall give you a barrel fife made by my own hand if all goes right when we get into our cabins I have & get out of the cold George these are fifing times with us all the boys have their fifes but myself I have not seen it smoking All are cheerful & gay with their fifes I am on guard today & what a time I will have musing about the just & penetrating the future You will not understand this phrase unless I explain it When I am on post my mind is - out from every thing else & I can study all & my mind - - - I build great air castles I soar aloft in ecstasy of sublime Tell Jane the butter she gave me done a great deal of good after I got to camp Give Josie and Louise my regards & tell them to write to me George send them to school if you can consistently for an education is - - - to all a Happy Christmas to you all I am well
Your affect friend
Silas Jones
Citation:
Augusta County: Silas Jones to George P. Kersh, December 19, 1863
Jones, Silas
Creation of machine-readable version: Matthew Kelly
Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Va.
1998
The Valley of the Shadow: Two Communities in the American Civil War
Orange Court House, Orange County, VA
December 19th, 1863
Dear Friend
I am most happy to have this opportunity to write you again Christmas is near at hand & today finds me in the cold We are building winter huts but I am afraid that I will not have a cabin to go in to at Christmas. [illeg.] working hard to get it done I had hoped to spend this Christmas with you all but there is no such thing as that now. Adam will not get off either I wish he could get off but he and I will both get furloughs before the winter is over if they continue to give furloughs. I gave Adam the [illeg.] and butter the first day after I got to camp while on picket I had to go on picket the next morning I got here [illeg.] on the river toward Fredericksburg They awaited the enemy in rifle pits but instead of advancing they retired - as usual I saw Add the other day & he is well and hardy. he looks fine much better than he did when I left the night before he had a good reason George I am proud of my shirt that Josie made I appreciate your gift very much and in return I shall give you a barrel fife made by my own hand if all goes right when we get into our cabins I have & get out of the cold George these are fifing times with us all the boys have their fifes but myself I have not seen it smoking All are cheerful & gay with their fifes I am on guard today & what a time I will have musing about the just & penetrating the future You will not understand this phrase unless I explain it When I am on post my mind is - out from every thing else & I can study all & my mind - - - I build great air castles I soar aloft in ecstasy of sublime Tell Jane the butter she gave me done a great deal of good after I got to camp Give Josie and Louise my regards & tell them to write to me George send them to school if you can consistently for an education is - - - to all a Happy Christmas to you all I am well
Your affect friend
Silas Jones
Citation:
Augusta County: Silas Jones to George P. Kersh, December 19, 1863
Jones, Silas
Creation of machine-readable version: Matthew Kelly
Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Va.
1998
The Valley of the Shadow: Two Communities in the American Civil War
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