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D.H. Gettys to Mrs. A.H. Slagle, December 24, 1861

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  • In this letter of December 24, 1861, D.H. Gettys writes to Mrs. A.H. Slagle describing the situation near Centreville, Va. He describes conditions, mentioning cold weather, and an engagement with enemy forces that occurred nearby the previous day. In a postscript he states that they are going into winter quarters.
  • D.H. Gettys to Mrs. A.H. Slagle, December 24, 1861 Centreville Va Dec 24th 1861 Mrs A. H. Slagle In obedience to your request I will try to write you a few lines as to our trip comeing here we were a long time on the road but we all got here safe and we found the Boys all well but G. [T. ?] [Wyont ?] he is quite sick but I think not dangerous the boys were as proud to get their things from home as [I was ?] ___ any body these was a general shows for joy all through the camps their coats never could have come in a beter time they got here on Saturday evening and the company had to go on picket Sunday I went with them myself we had a rough time that knight it rained all knight and next morning a heavy sleet fell As you wanted to know about picketing I will tell you all I can We haev to stay out one day and knight there are 7 [?] men to each post there are two men sent out as bidits [?] they have to stand 2 hours at a time then they are relieved by 2 others they are relieved every two hours during the 24 they are now permited to have fire at the back posts where the [bidits; volis ?] can fall back to every 2 hours and warm 4 hours As to camp life I have not found it any harder than I expected I am massing [?] the Cartoogechaye boys now I have not got in to any regular mess yet we expect to move to morrow 6 or 8 miles back from here and go in to winter quarters. Dec 25th our move to day is paid off I don’t know now _____ we will move We went out on ______ ____ for the first time since I have been here I liked the fun very well. If you come be___ ___ the boys ___ breakfass on a fine you would _____ off one __ ___ __ I have never said any thing to head it ___ any life they have one big laugh after another from the time they begain it ___ until they are done it is gatch and ___ all the time myself and Sidney Slagle has just ____ from taking ___ ___ to the Hospital I think he will ___ much better in hospital than in camp he is in every good house one mile from this ___ ___ I think he will get better attention than we could give him here. The ___ & Thomas are all well they look as well as ever you them and all in fine spirits. I have about a pretty good ___ Bridle & Saddle I have got the Cold Saddle it is a little extra The day that I came in to camp there was a battle about 12 miles from here our men went out ___ a ___ expedition and were not prepared to fight the Yankees met them ___ __ overwhelming force drove the _____ back our men being compowered ___ ____ to retreat it is said we ___ 39 men killed and a good many wounded The citizens living near the Battleground think The Yankees had more men killed than we had Although they had all advantaged they made but One day is not obsess___ ____ more than another these is no preaching hear I am sorry to say it is to some ____ say they have not heard _____ In 3 months it is hard for a man to live Here and ____ his morals like at home While ____ far away from home one deprived of the priviledeges I once enjoyed I hope you will all remember me in your prayers at all times. James Siler sends his love to you and family. I would like to hear how Roxie’s foot has got. Give my love to all my friends I am now in good health and [osserits; operits ?] I would like to hear from home soon With respect I am yours D.H. Gettys To Mr. A.H. Slagle. Dec 27th We moved yesterday the col says he will go in to winter quarters near where we are now camped
Object
  • In this letter of December 24, 1861, D.H. Gettys writes to Mrs. A.H. Slagle describing the situation near Centreville, Va. He describes conditions, mentioning cold weather, and an engagement with enemy forces that occurred nearby the previous day. In a postscript he states that they are going into winter quarters.
  • D.H. Gettys to Mrs. A.H. Slagle, December 24, 1861 Centreville Va Dec 24th 1861 Mrs A. H. Slagle In obedience to your request I will try to write you a few lines as to our trip comeing here we were a long time on the road but we all got here safe and we found the Boys all well but G. [T. ?] [Wyont ?] he is quite sick but I think not dangerous the boys were as proud to get their things from home as [I was ?] ___ any body these was a general shows for joy all through the camps their coats never could have come in a beter time they got here on Saturday evening and the company had to go on picket Sunday I went with them myself we had a rough time that knight it rained all knight and next morning a heavy sleet fell As you wanted to know about picketing I will tell you all I can We haev to stay out one day and knight there are 7 [?] men to each post there are two men sent out as bidits [?] they have to stand 2 hours at a time then they are relieved by 2 others they are relieved every two hours during the 24 they are now permited to have fire at the back posts where the [bidits; volis ?] can fall back to every 2 hours and warm 4 hours As to camp life I have not found it any harder than I expected I am massing [?] the Cartoogechaye boys now I have not got in to any regular mess yet we expect to move to morrow 6 or 8 miles back from here and go in to winter quarters. Dec 25th our move to day is paid off I don’t know now _____ we will move We went out on ______ ____ for the first time since I have been here I liked the fun very well. If you come be___ ___ the boys ___ breakfass on a fine you would _____ off one __ ___ __ I have never said any thing to head it ___ any life they have one big laugh after another from the time they begain it ___ until they are done it is gatch and ___ all the time myself and Sidney Slagle has just ____ from taking ___ ___ to the Hospital I think he will ___ much better in hospital than in camp he is in every good house one mile from this ___ ___ I think he will get better attention than we could give him here. The ___ & Thomas are all well they look as well as ever you them and all in fine spirits. I have about a pretty good ___ Bridle & Saddle I have got the Cold Saddle it is a little extra The day that I came in to camp there was a battle about 12 miles from here our men went out ___ a ___ expedition and were not prepared to fight the Yankees met them ___ __ overwhelming force drove the _____ back our men being compowered ___ ____ to retreat it is said we ___ 39 men killed and a good many wounded The citizens living near the Battleground think The Yankees had more men killed than we had Although they had all advantaged they made but One day is not obsess___ ____ more than another these is no preaching hear I am sorry to say it is to some ____ say they have not heard _____ In 3 months it is hard for a man to live Here and ____ his morals like at home While ____ far away from home one deprived of the priviledeges I once enjoyed I hope you will all remember me in your prayers at all times. James Siler sends his love to you and family. I would like to hear how Roxie’s foot has got. Give my love to all my friends I am now in good health and [osserits; operits ?] I would like to hear from home soon With respect I am yours D.H. Gettys To Mr. A.H. Slagle. Dec 27th We moved yesterday the col says he will go in to winter quarters near where we are now camped