White Oak Church Va
Dec. 25th 1868. [1862]
A merry Christmas to you, and
all others. Perhaps you are
wishing that Free would write
and let you know if he is “still
lives:, and if he was in the fight at
Fredricksburg. by this you can
judge that I am as yet a “dweller
amongst the inhabitants of earth,”
also that my health is first rate,
and hope it will continue in that
agreable state,
I was with Gen Reynolds from
Thursday morning before the battle
till Monday after when we all
skedadled to the safe side of the river
Co. L. was doing [orderly?] duty
at the time, consequently were
exposed continually to the deadly
missles that fall upon every
place occupied by our force on that side of the Rappahanock
[page 2]
strange as it may seem only two
more wounded, those very slightly
three of our horses were killed, and
two were wounded. Of course there was
many narrow escapes, but as they
never hurt any one seriously will
not mention any of them
There is a growing desire for peace
expressed by all the soldiers, they
feell that this toil and suffering
is not for the Union, but for
the advancement of political schemers
and army contractors who for
gain, would steal the coppers from
a dead soldiers eyes often cheating
him out of daily bread while
living,
This state of things cannot endure
forever this army of corruption will
one day be shown up to the American
people in its true character
till then every Government Official
[page 3]
will go on with his grab games
unmolested when by some
mistake, ten thousand men are
killed or maimed for life, - no one
is to blame or responsible
“so [mote?] It be,”
The weather is very pleasant
for winter, rather changeable
one day our coats would make one
comfortable, the next shirt sleeve’’s
are more to the purpose.
Have not heard from Temple
for a month folks all well there
I gave Cate & Em a few words
of advice the last time I wrote
if they cant write to me without
filling their sheets full of complaints
about each others short comings,
they better not write at all.
for I shall speak plainly on
the subject, - they aught to know
that such stuff is not agreable
news for me to hear from home,
[page 4]
That box has been confiscated
I guess, It may be at Washington
for I never have had an opportunity
to send there fore it. Have given
up ever getting it but when we are
paid off, - will remember you and
Mrs. Mitchell in your endevours to
send me something needfull
Should answered your letter
sooner if it had not been for the battle.
hope you will not be negligent
in writting to your absent Brother,
We are having quite an easy time,
if we could get a few such things
as Apples, Butter, Cheese, or Vegtables
should like a little better.
Hoping this will
find you all enjoying a Happy
new year I subscribe myself your
affectionate Brother
F. N. Holman
My love to Father and Mrs. H
Excuse mistakes