Camp near Warrenton Feb. 16th /64

Dear Brother
how ar you this
cold windy evening the wind has
blowed all day as hard as it can
blow I have bin expecting every moment
to hear our chimney go over but it
has stuck it out so far and I
guess she will stand it through.
let me see we have bin on picket
twice since I wrote last wer on
last Wednesday it was horrid cold
through the night, then we wer
on again Saturday had quite a
plessant time: It snowed most all
day yesterday and rained and snowed most
of the night there was about an inch
of snow this morning that went off
this fornoon, this afternoon we
[page 2]
wer out on a Brigade review
Col. Smith has command of the
brig. had rather a cold windy time I
consoled my self tho with the
thought that it is the last
winter they can nose me round
that is unless I have a mind to
let them I think now if I get out all
right that I shant come in again
but cant tell what I shal do after
I have bin at home a while. I
feal in hopes that the rebelion
will go up before my time is out
then there will be no need to come
in again for I wouldent be a
soldier after the war is over at no
rate I’d rather be at home at work
on the old farm I’ve an idear that
I shall be dreadfull lazzy thoe
so you neadnot think to get much
out of me in the fall I shall want
to bum a while then commence
work moderately untill the rust gets
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wore off; Well Orrin I guess that
Nell is bound to be a school marm
as she always said she was going to be
for the last letter I had she said
she talked of going to the Acadamy
this spring I’m glad she likes to go to
School she is all the sister we have
got and it would be quear if we cold=
not pay for her to know something she
hasant had much of a chance of take
lessons on the Pianer but there is [twice?]
enough to learn yet and I want her
to learn to sing as well as play then
we can have her to play and sing for
us after we have bin at work all day
that would be nice would’ent it shouldant
have to go up the road to hear a little
music. but for all that I should want
to go up to Uncle Walkers once in a
while to see Hat for hat is a
nice girl you know she rather beats
aney of Smolly girls thats my
opinion you know havent had a letter
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from her for some time but shall
expect one soon and it does a
fellow good to get one from her for
she always writs splendid letters,
there is one thing that is rather a wonder
to me and that is why she doesent
get married or get a fellow all the
reason that I can think of is she isent
dying for a fellow same as some of them
or so she is going to wait untill
one comes along that suits her he will
be a lucky chap who ever he is:
do you know whether Frank True is
at home this winter or not I wrote
a letter to him the other day dont
know whether he will get it or not.
I got one from you the other day
was vary glad to hear from you well
my sheet is most full and I will
close. write soon good night and pleasant
dreams from your Brother
Alvin
I have answered all of your letters
so if you dont get them they
must get losts some [ware?]
[continued top left margin of page 1]
Thursday 18 of Feb. will
here is this letter yet I went
on pickett yesterday morning
and did not think to tell
Jack to put this letter in for
me so it has layed over
2 days it was a dread
full cold day yesterday
and last night the coldest
we have had this year
I had to [???] my old
hors and tramp round all
the time to keep from
freezing. I got through
all right. now I’ll
go and put it in the
office my self good
day
Alvin