KP2025.001.022

No 11th
Gen. Franklins Head Quarters Jan 1st, 1863
Dear Brother & Sister
Last evening I received your Christmas letter No. 11 glad to hear you are well and all growing fat. I am getting over my cold but I don’t feel strong yet as before. A few days ago I got 2 letters from you No 9 & 10 & answered them. You wrote about Jacobs being paid. Have you sold the wheat yet (I asked this same question in my last letter. I ask it again for I have not got all of your letters 6th, 7th, & 8th) And about Jacobs getting some runner plank I think it is all right & Joe says I promised him some when he worked for me, (when Joe and Jacob both worked for me.) I wrote about having a night cap knit but I don’t remember as I said how to knit it. The soldiers buy them that are knit. Some like comforters, turn to a peak at the top of the head (and there is where the tassel hangs. They are made so they will come down over ears and further if necessary and they can be turned up around the head if wanted so, ( ther that is  as well as I can tell how they are made.) I suppose a comforter would do just as well. Take it and double it and draw it over a fellers head; did I not have a comforter that would do.
Tis now the 2nd of Jan. I could not finish my letter yesterday for we got some new tents and I had to help put them up. They are when up about 7 feet square on the ground, the canvass [canvas] on the ends is perpendicular and on the sides slants to a peak over a ridge pole 8 ft high. I have a bed on poles 18 in. from the ground and sleep pretty good. I have a pretty good appetite but my stomach seems to be out of order some and if I can get that right I think I’ll be tough again. I write Harriet so particular about myself because you wanted me to a spell ago. Joe is tough as I ever saw him. If I should want anything of him he is ready to do it but I have done my chores yet. That is taken care of my horse and helped get wood and cooked my own meals. If I knew, where I would be in 2 weeks I would send for that box of delicasies [delicacies] but most everyone thinks we will move from here in a few days but where to no one knows. Some think to Washington and others think on the Peninsula. All I trouble myself about moving is to make myself as comfortable as I can for the present. I spell Rebs with a capital because I thought that was the way. I did intend to leave out the 3rd Battallion [Battalion] in directing to me; and our letters that we have directed to these headquarters come to the 10th Regt. and our company have to get them there so I shall in a short time (if they don’t come to this Office) have the direction changed again. Don’t get out of patience about it. Tell Ida and May I got their merry christmas and thank them for it. Also that I wish them and you all a happy new year. Wm. I hope you will get a good price for your horse and your wheat has cost you as much as you say I am glad you are not going to work the haviland’s farm another year. I do not always reply to all you write to me for if I did I should write nothing else but I want you to write just the same as though I did. Anything from home is interesting to me. Wm. did you have one cent per gall for making cider this fall or did you have some other price. George Rudd has got a discharge and started for home. He had a Rupture. Your speculations about the war I don’t know what to say about, but I can tell you that the Rhappahannock [Rappahannock] River did not rise and has not yet since we cam here. I suppose Jackson is harrasing [harassing] our army near Washington. Let him go in if or Generals can’t catch him is what I say.
Yours Truly Forever
K. Pearsons
To Wm. & Harriet
[envelope]
Mr Wm H. Press
Gowanda, N.Y.
Catt. Co.
[envelope reverse]
#11
Jan 1 1863
Gen Franklins Hdqs