1861 December 22 Winchester

Dear Ma

I seat my self this morning to
write you a few lines in answer to
your kind letter that you wrote to
me I am well and hope these few
lines will finde you all in good health
you said you hoped that we was
all in winter quarters but we are not
and dont expect to get into this winter
you said that you was afraid that I
slep cold these nights but I sleep warm
we have a fire place to our tent it
is rite smart help to us I sleep with
Bolivar Cowan & Levy Cline we put all
of our blankets to gether and we sleep war
m Ma you said you would like to see
me, but I cant come home untill spring
but I will send my pickture and you all
can take a look at it. Ma I will tell
you who my messmates are they are
George & Bolivvar Cowan Fielden Coombs
William H. Smith. Levy Cline & Harry honaker
I had my picture taken yesterday at town
and will send it home before long the
boys all say it favers mitely Their is
very little sickniss in the army at this

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time. We have had very good weather
evry Since we left greenbrier but it
has been very cold and it looks verry
much like snowing this morning. The
yankees attacked our men on the Aliganys
some days ago but I suppose you know
as much about the fite as I could tell
you. Ma I would lie to see you & Pa
& all the rest and I hope the day is coming
when I will be permitted to see you all
Tell Hayes that it is so cold and disagreeable
that I cant write to him to day this letter
will answer the same purpose as if I was to write you
both Ma I havent had but one pair
of my pance on and they fit very well
only they are a little too tight around the
waist I washed the shirt that my pickture
was taken in. Tell uncle William aunt
Nancy an cousin Te Morton howdy for me
Ma I will have to bring my badly writte
n and spe[l]t letter to a close so Christmas
gift to youall Nothing more at present
but remain your affectionate son

William R. Gilmer

Mr Charles
Mary Gilmer

Private, Co. I, 37th Virginia Infantry
5194