[1] Camp Marcy Dec 21 1861
Dear wife brothers sisters
I now take the pleasure
of wrighting a few lines
to let you now that
we are all well hoping
thease few lines will finde
you the same I receved your
kinde letter dated the 18 Dec
your hav got my letter
before this you want to
now if we got them shirtes
we hav you hav sean
[page 2]
In my last letter
I just name it fore
[fear?] that you hav not
got it but i thinke
you hav you say
that you are sending
sum things fore christmess
we hav not got them
yet I think we shall
get them tow day
ore two morrow
I shall thank you all
fore them when we get
them I wish you all
a mearey christmas
and happey new year
two you all I may
wright you a nother
before new years
day them things will
be verey excepetebal
when we get theme
[page 3]
I hope you shall
injoy it just the
same as if i ware
thare my self I hav
not go much time
to wright i am on
garde tow day we
ware on revew yesterday
we hav verey incoreagi[ng]
news from all quorters
and i think thare
thare will be more
before long we get
papers hiare everey
day philadelphia and
new yourke papers so
that we get all the
news that is going
I think this thin cannot
last long as every thing
is going agenst theme
that is the rebbles
[page 4]
I hav just receved
your box James Ardes
has not got his it has
not come everey thing
is good the horse reddish
bottle got broke the bole
got broke with the
sauchege in thay are
verey exceptable hear
they boys would like
two hear from youse
often you want me
to send my olde clothes
in this box I hav not
got noting to send
I would rather fetche
them if i had the chance
excuse mee fore this
miserable letter this
time
I remain your effectionate
Husband and brother
William Band