1861 Sept[ember] 8 Germantown, Virgina

My Dear Creek

Your very welcome letter of the 1st inst
came to hand yesterday, I am happy to hear that you are
all enjoying good health, this leaves me in the enjoyment
of the same blessing; I am glad to hear that you will
suceed in getting up the cloth for our uniforms, you must
make all the haste you can as the cold weather will soon
be upon us, and the mens clothing is getting pretty ragged,
try and have it all as near one coular as possible and
get some heavy shirting and line the pants through inside
with, but Stephen will tell you all about that when he
comes. We have heard that they are making pallmetto
Buttons now in charleston, tell Jink to find out if they are
and order immediately eleven hundred (1100) large size and
(600) six Hundred small size, you can advance the money
for them and stephen will settle with you for them when he
comes, get the yellow Button if you can if not get the white.
I should like to have two pairs of heavy woolen drawers for
winter, you can send them with the clothing, and have
some heavy stuff to line my coat through the Back with.

[page 2]
best you can, I was very much pleased with the palmetto
you sent me n your letter, I was showing it to some of the
officers and Lieut Latham of General Jones staff, stole
it from me, and had it put on his hat. he said he though
I had enough of them on mine already, and as he is
Brother Scotchman of mine and a great Friend, I had
to let him have it, they are very much sought after here
by the soldiers, and I will be very glad to have some more of
them when you have time to make them, Tell Phillis to dry
me some Beef and send when the clothing comes, it is
very handy for carykng when we are on the march, and
you know I am very fond of it anyhow. I had some fine
tomatto soup for dinner to day. vegetables are very plenty
here now but we have to pay pretty high for them.
we also get plenty of chickens, eggs, ducks &c chickens
are woth 25cts each ducks 20 eggs 25ct per dozen
Butter 25 cts per pound, &c but we are glad to have
them at any price. I have also got some fine country
hams just now so you see we are not suffering for
something good to eat, the men are also very well supplied
with rations just now, plenty of the finest Kind of
Beef and Mess[?] or Pickled pork, which is very fine to eat.
they are also well supplied with sugar coffee Rice &c
Vegetables they have to buy themselves, but Liquor is
very scarce, I often wish for one of the stews you used to
make me, I never get anything of that sort now, but
let us hope for better times and a speed return time
when we will think more of home and its many comforts
and happy associations

[page 3]
I told Robert Stancel that his father had sent me word
to write him, he said he wrote him on his return from
Hospital so by this time the old gentleman has heard from
him. Bob is a fine Boy and a very Brave soldier, the report
you heard of warren wilkes was to true byt I believe I mentined
it to you in a previous letter. I am afraid he is beyond all
hope, Several of the Boxes have never come to hand yet and
I am afraid never will. William is getting along finely
and more thought of by his officers than any man in the
company, he was promoted to the Rank of Second
Sergeant last week for his good behavoiur and strict
attention to duty, he is making a man of himself,
and is an honeur to the Family, and company of which
he is a member. We have never heard any more of James
I understand our authorities are making some arrangements
(or trying to), for corresponding with the Prisoners and
sending them any little comforts they may need, should
they be successful I will send him some money the first
opportunity I can get gold here for that purpose, as soon
as I am certain of its going safely to him, I do not know of
anything more that would be of intrest to you, I wrote you
on thursday last which I hope you recieved, you may look for
a letter from me twice a week should nothing prevent me.
Give my Kindest Regards to all the family and tell
Julia Webb Howdy for me, Kiss our little darling
for me and tell her to be a good girl and be kind to
Ma. till I come home,
Your affecionate Husband
William

[across top left margin on page 4]
I have lent Gilkerson twenty dollars
to pay his expences home he is to pay it back
to you W.A.

William Anderson, 4th Regiment South Carolina Volunteers [Palmetto Sharpshooters]

MSS 10366