Locus Hill Stafford county Va
Dec 29th 1862

My Dear Wife
It is with
pleasure that I now sit down to write
you a few lines to let you know that
I am well I hope these few lines will
find you in the same state of health
I wrote you a letter on the 24th but forgot
to date it I also write for Jim to make me
a pair of boots but did not tell what
I wanted them made out of I want
them of light Kip I dont care whether they
are lined or not but tell him to be
sure and make high legs
The 29th ohio and the 7th had a fight at
Dumfreeze [1] on the 27th of this month
I do not know the result but it is
rumered that they whipped the rebs
[page 2]
it seems as if those two regts were in
all the battles that is fought we make
some of the most unreasonable marches
that was ever made we are under a
dutchman by the name of
DiCesnola [2] and we call him Dogspalona
he is a fool or a coward he will get
the brigade out and scout in side of
the picketts all night or go a mile
or so from camp and make us
dismount and hold our horses
all night I tell you what there is some
cussing at such times I hope some
of our picketts will shoot him for
he will never get near enough to
the rebs to get shot
but I must close
so good bye for this
time your affectionately
T M Covert