1863dec6

1863 Dec 6

Thunderbolt Battery

December 6, 1863

My dear companion,

I seat myself to drop you a few lines which will inform you that I am well at this time, hoping these lines may reach and find you all well and doing well - also, all the friends and family connections.

I arrived here last Monday morning and have been on duty once since.  The Yankees comes in sight here occasionally, but no danger of a fight here.

I came from Macon without a certificate.  The doctor promised to send it to me, but he has not done it yet.  I am afraid he will not.  I am better satisfied here than at the hospital, unless I could have a detail.

Our rations are very short now, but we have enough to live on very well.

I reckon you think it is a long time before I write, but I have not had time to write sooner.  I will send this by Mrs. Benson.  She will start home Tuesday or Wednesday.  I will write more tomorrow.

I have signed the payroll and I will draw some money soon and send it to you by the first chance I get.

Tell Sammy if he finds out that he has to go, to come down here.  He can’t stand it up the country.

We have had a week of very cold weather here, but it has been dry.  I am afraid it has killed the wheat up in Pike, but I hope not.

If I get sick, I will try to come up the country to a hospital.

I understand that we will have to go on Whitmarsh to picket in two or three weeks.  I don’t believe our regiment will be moved from here until spring, if then.  We are bound up a heap tighter now than we were last summer.

I have drawn another uniform, but I have not drawn any shoes yet, but I will if I can.

I will finish tomorrow.

December 7

It is very cold this morning.  I have found my Janes pants and knapsack.  I have not found my striped haversack.  My comb, book, and trunk are all here, and my old uniform coat.  I wish I could find my haversack.  My knife and fork are gone.  I think maybe I will find them.

I have just come in from heavy artillery drill.  The wind and sand are very severe at the batteries.  I think I will stand it very well through the winter, and I will try to get a discharge or a detail before summer.

I cannot hear from General Bragg or Longstreet.  I do not hear any news now about the war.

I do not know what to do about getting you some shoes.  You must have some.  It is too cold for you.

I must go and report at Captain White’s office December 8.

I am still improving, that is, gaining strength.  I will be on duty tomorrow.  We have to go on guard about once a week, and that is light.

Tell Pa’s folks and Sammy and Sarah that I cannot get paper or I would have written to them.  I will write them as soon as I can.  Give them my respects.

Tell Wash to save me 25 pounds of his tobacco and I will give him $1 per pound.  Tell him to press it good for me, and I want you to send me some the first chance.  I have to pay high for tobacco here.  I don’t want you to send more than four or five pounds at a time for fear I might have to leave and lose it.

You must direct your letters thus:

Corporal W. H. Harden

Savannah, Georgia

In Care Of Capt. D. N. Martin

Co. G

63rd Regiment

Georgia Volunteers

I will close.  Good-bye.  Yours, etc.

W. H. Harden

Give my love to all the family, etc.