Birds Point, Dec 30th 1861Dear Little Zetty and Oscar,
It is half past nine oclock at night. We had marching orders after dark. With two days rations cooked. We have it all ready in our haversacks. We are not allowed to take anything to cook anything in, not even a coffee pot to make coffee in. We have to start in the morning at 8 o'clock, and have to muster for duty before we start. There is only 3 or four Co. of infantry going. Some say there is some Cavalry going, and some say that a lot of Cavalry is already gone. I do not know, but still, Zetty, we may not go yet. We have been near ready for a march and not [gone], but I think we will go this time. I am not sure where we are going, but I guess it is after Jeff again, but do not know. Capt. says he is tolerably sure we are going on the cars to Charleston, and if that is so, I do not expect we will have any fight this time. We are not going to Columbus this time. Zetty, I have my revolver loaded ready, so if we actually get into a brush, I will be as near ready as possible. All our mess is going except Keeney. I have not had a letter from any of you except May since Thursday, but I think if it was to be here tomorrow, I would get two or three. Zetty, I thought of you, Oscar, and your ma and my other folks more last night than I have any one night since I left home. The reason was we was all talking and guessing when the war would be over and when we would all get home. A great many here think the fighting will all be done inside of six weeks. Some
©2006 C.S. Parkinson