p.

Assistant Adjutant General's Office,
Head-Quarters, Smith's Division,
Camp Griffin Va. Dec. 2d 1861

My Kind Friend -

Willie has kindly given me per-
mission to send you a line in his letter and I glad-
ly avail myself of the privilege for it has been some time
since I have given you any account of myself. I am as yet
blessed with good health and have sufficient of all
things to make me comfortable. I am in need of nothing
which I cannot get here. I fear this is not the case
with all. Many a poor Soldier is suffering for prop-
er clothing and many for suitable food. It is
no small task to raise arm & equip an army of six
hundred thousand men. But there is no nation on earth
that can do it so easilly as we. At best there must be
much suffering. I am very pleasantly situated indeed.
When I left Vermont I did not expect any such for-
tune. I have light labor, good associates, a few pa-
pers, a good mess, and innumerable privileges - I
have considerable time for reading and writing.
Willie's health is not very good now. There is nothing
serious the matter with him but he has overworked
and taken cold. He will lay off a few days. They