1861 Dec[ember] 7 Centreville

My Dear Creek
I am afraid from
what I wrote you the other day that
you will be thinking I am worse
of than I realy am but I am hapy
to inform you that I am recovering
very fast, when I wrote you last I was
very sick indeed but the next day or
so, I got as yallow as a Pumpkin
and am still so yet. I have the prettiest
case of Jaundice you ever saw, but the
sickness has left me altogether and I
will be fit for duty in a day or two
again, my appatite is also very good
now so there is not much danger of
me, the dried aples you sent me did
me a great deal of good. I could not
eat anything but them for a whole week
and I often thought of uou when I was

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eating them, and wished myself at
home with you, but I was very comfortable
in my tent the boys built me a nice
chimney to it which keeps me very
warm. they were all very kind to me
and brought me all the little nice things
could think of and procure, but I have
got so again I can eat anything
and a good deal of it, and can knock
around nearly as well ever. I am very
much afraid that I will not have
the privilege of eating Christmas
dinner with you I will however press
the matter as far as I can and try my
best to be with you. I asked General Jones
the other day about it. he said he would
rather that a dozen of some of the
others would go, but I think he will
perhaps let me come yet as I am
somewhat of Favourite with him.
William has just returned to Camp
and is quite well again he sends his
love to you and says he will write you

[page 3]
one of these days. he is still the old
man, only he is somewhat more lively
since Jim got home. I got Jim's letter
and was happy to hear from him I
will answer it in a day or two, as I wrote--
you before Stephen had got here but not
the boxes, they are at Manassas now how-
ever and all safe we will get them tomorrow
we are needing them very much now.
we have had some very cold weather but it
has moderated now and yesterday and
to day have been like spring days. I am
afraid it will give us all fresh cold when
the weather changes again. I will write
you a long letter when I get the clothing
and see if everything is right.
Give my Kindest Regards to all of
the family. Kiss Little Maggie
for me, and tell her papa loves his
smart little Baby and will bring his
pockets ful of pretties for her. write
soon to you ever affectionate

William

William Anderson, Captain, Co. J, 4th Regiment South Carolina Volunteers (Palmetto Sharpshooters)

MSS 10366