Sunday Dec 21.1862

Camp Near Bell
Plane VA

Dear Wife I
take this oppotunity
of writing a few lines
to you I hope thay
will find you all
well as thay leave
us At present
I receved you kinde
letter to day dated the 18
with that Brade in
it is verey good I
receved one on the fifteenth 15
dated the 12 Dec I am
soreay the hear saley
smith died so suden
we are all Back to
our olde camps
[page 2]
I must make
this letter shorte
at present as
wee hav just receved
orders to sadel up
with two days [ra]tions
in our haver sacks
giv my loov and
respects to all
A merry christmiss
Hapy new year
to you all
we are gowing on scout
ore picket I now
not wich thare is
a Poore show to
get home
your Affctnate
Husband Wm
Band to his wife
M A Band
we hav two hundred
and fiftey 250 fore dutey