1861 Oct[ober] 13 Germantown Virginia

My Dear Creek

I have again returned to this place, after
three days very disagreeable duty on the Advanced line
of our army, of course we could not take our tents
with us, on such duty, and as we anticipated, it rained
on us nearly all the time we were out, but we all did
our duty without a murmur we were within one mile
of the enemy's camp all the time and our sentinals were
within half a mile, we could hear them playing Yankee doodle,
the Star Spangled Banner, and Carry me Back to old Virginy,
with a great many more pieces besides, and some of our bands
in return gave them Dixie &c but that was all the fighting
that occured between us, and we were all very happy when
Col. Jenkins came with his regiment to take our place
yesterday evening, when we all returned to camp, in time
for supper, in high health and spirits.
William had just returned from the Winchester when
we arrived and brought me a fine ham and a jug of
whiskey, which went very well after having been wet
to the skin for two days and nights, he is fine health
and very much pleased with his trip. The health of our
Regiment is now improving very fast. I have now
Forty men in my company able for duty again, and
all of the others are improving and will soon be able for duty

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Some of them however who have been very sick will not be
able for duty in a month, I shall try and get a Furlough for
all such, as they will improve much faster at home than
here, they are all out of danger now except Robert OSheal
whose case is still doubtful, I hope he may also be able
to get up again, Stephen Brazeale will start home tomorrow
morning I will send this by him. I have given him all the
instructions about my uniform and he will give them to you.
I was very much gratified on my return to camp at finding
three letters for me from you and a hole host of others
from people that have sons and brothers in the company
so that I have a very busy days writing before me, but you
know I like to write letters anyhow and it dont trouble me much,
I have also one to write for Tom today I want him
to have me a pair of heavy winter boots made for me in
Columbia for Stephen to bring back with him and than
I will be very well fixed for the winter in the way of clothing
The weather has now cleared off and we have a very high cold
wind today the coldest day that we have had yet, the
men are all huddled round the camp fires as the sun
is not yet high enough to afford any heat, and I have
to run out every little while to warm my hands as they
get so cold that I can scarcely write, but it is the best kind of
weather we can have now and a few such days will do more
for the health of our troops than all the Physic in the
Confederacy. You say you are going to send me another box
by express, it is by far the safest plan as one half of the
Boxes and letters sent by hand never reach their destination.

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Particularly if the person by whom they are sent is any way careless
and whenever they are left on any Rails and platform they
are stolen before you can turn round, but when sent by express
they are almost certain to come through, I wrote you I think
in my last sheet but one that I have and I will take half of
that to write to Tom, than I will have to by some to answer
my other correspondents, and I dont know who to apply
to for it; some of our men take the letters they get and write
across them in reply which is better than nothing, so you
need not be surprised if the next you get from me is written [hole in paper]
that way, I dont know of any news that would interest y[hole in paper]
should I get any paper I will write Jink and give him all the
news about the wars &c that I know of I have just read a letter
from Jane to Capt. Humphreys I am happy to hear they are
all getting along well, as Lieut Felton says, Jane writes a
very satisfactory letter.

I think we will soon go into winter quarters now as the winter
is fast approaching if it is in my power I will get a leave
of absence as soon as than occurs and come home on a Visit
to see you for twenty or thirty days I did once think I
would not do so till our time was out, but I dont think
I can stay away so long without seeing you and dear Little
Maggie, I wonder if she is like what I think her to be, I expect
I will spoil her worse than ever when I get home, do you think
she would know me now if she was to see me. I could live here
contentedly all my life if you and her were only with me but that
cannot be a present, but at all events six months will soon

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roll around when I hope there will be no further necessity
of our living seperated any more

Kiss the little darling for me and reserve my warmest love
for yourself

My Kindest Regards to all

Your affectionate Husband
William [Anderson]

Captain, Co. J, 4th Regiment South Carolina Volunteers [Palmetto Sharphooters]

MSS 10366