Thursday, November 27, 1862 - Harpers Ferry, Virginia

Camp near harpers Ferry Va Nov 27/62

Dear Wife it is thanksgiving day and a very fine day it is the finest we have had for some time; for we have had some very cold disagreeable weather of late we have suffred some from the cold especily nights on guard as our clothes are not adequate for the weather we have not drawed any dress coats yet which we are entitled to I do not know of a regiment except ours but that got their dress coats soon after they left home why it is that we have not got our I do not know we drawed another blouse this week one day but it wasnt worth three cents there is no thickness to it it is lined with some thin slazy stuff without any wading in them so they rearly are no better than the one I had when I was at home put them boath on and they do not make one decent coat when I have my clothes all on that I useuly wore without my over coat I am about as well clothed as I used to be at home when I was in my shirt sleevs in the winter with out any vest on so you will see there is no great danger of my roasting this winter, it would be very gratifying to me if I could be permitted to take thanksgiving supper at home with you to day but shall have to [content] myself around our [hospitble] board down in old vegionia our table is Gods footstool; the crockery we have to furnish it with consists of one tin cup to each man I expect seeing it is Thanksgiving to day that for supper we shall be treated to one of our favorite dishes that is soup or slush just which you are pleased to eat it but while I am writing this I must not forget to tell you that thare is a posibility of my toping off supper to night with some of the good things from Moodus; inasmuch as friend Chapman received a half barrel yesterday from home filled with such luxuries as you at home are permitted to have and enjoy this was the dontents of it two loves of bread two mince pies one lofe of frosted cake on of stired up cake [?cookies] nut cakes ginger schnaps layer raisons apples & potatoes also one pair of drawers gloves two good thick night caps one under shirt one can of pickles one of jelly; they are all very nice at least what I have tasted of an what I have not expected at our supper table this afternoon for he told me that I must help myself at any time to anything I wanted wheather he was there or not; afar as long as we remain together and agree whatever he has belongs to us the same as though we ware brothers in a family so you will preceive that we are on good terms yet; now I have given you a list of things as they are I will say that I am well ad hope when this reaches you it will find you all enjoying the same great blessing; I have been two weeks looking for a letter from you but have looked in vain now whether or not you have mailed any for me is what I want [???] and having don so or not write when you receive this and let me know for I think you can get time to write in rather more of a comfortable place than what I have to so I will draw this to a close by sending my love to each and all of you Wife & Children from your Husband and Father A.C. Smith