Sunday, December 28th

Another splendid day, such a one as you frequently have in October, but not such as you are apt to have at New Year's time. Our first scout has just gone over to the Court House with a squad of men detailed for Guard duty. We frequently have to furnish guards for patrol duty there. I have not been over there myself, so I do not know the exact nature of their duties, but suppose they have to guard the government property there, maintain order etc. We have just been out to church and heard a short sermon from the Rev Mr. Webster, and some singing from the choir led by the Drum Major who, whatever else he may be is an excellent singer.

Orderly Serg't Fletcher is sick and we fear that we shall be deprived of his services for some time. He makes a very good Orderly and we miss him much, as our only remaining sergeants are Willey and Pense of Weston, who as far as military matters go is about on a level with Willey. You have often said that these young boys of 17 or 18 were too young to go, that the old men ought to turn out, but let me tell you that this is no place for an old man, and that there are three times as many of them on the sick list as there are of the boys, as you call them. While boys like Cummings are doing their whole duty and getting fat on it, great stout men like Crane get sick and need the doctor's care. Eldridge Kingston is sick and will get his discharge. Corporal Wait thinks that he will waste away and never recover. I must stop for I must darn my stockings and go on dress parade.

The Journal came in last night. You may send a little woolen yarn if you safely do so. We are again under light marching orders, whither, no one knows, sure that light marching orders will carry us forward. Yours, H.G.D.

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Contributed by Linda M. Welch, Dartmouth College, Windsor County researcher.

Return to the Index of Hezron's letters..

See also Hezron's biography, and his memoir of the Gettysburg Campaign.