I have just been out to see the Post Master, the mail is made up & gone., will not go out again until the 2 or 3, of Jan 1863.  O, while I think of it.  New Years gift my girl.
 I will write some more before this will have an opportunity of going out. & in the mean time I will study the matter over & if I have omitted any thing I will try & remedy it.  I think I have written plainly & so that you can understand me..  You have no doubt heard before this time that Charly Hepepburn is lying verry low, as Capt Houstin has telegraphed to his friends his situation.  I know it is a gloomy New year to his friends, I feel gloomy over his almost certain death.  In his death I loose a good friend.  Well my dear I must close for to night as I have not slept but little since night before last.  I feel verry dull, good night my own dear Mary
 Jan 2 1863..!  How time flies.  How did you spend New Years day?  We struck our tents & moved across Currant River & pictched them about one mile west of that most beautiful stream.  I have seen many Rivers, but I believe, that Currant is the most beautiful one I ever saw.  We crossed on Pontoon bridges.  they are constructed in the same way
