1862 January 3 Manassas Junction

Genl Jno H Cocke Dear Sir It
has been some time since I recd
your Kind favour, And long ere
this should have answered it, &
can says no excuse "negligence
alone is answerable"-- I am happy
to inform you, that I am in
better health than I have been
for years "Am Stout" have been
improving ever since I left
your house--We are now in
Winter quarters--have a snug
parsel of Cabbins & nearly all
of our companies are in them
we are near Davis' ford on Ocoquon
River--We are living very well
have plenty of fresh beef "good"

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some pickled pork, some rice
[a]bout half rations of coffee & sugar
& flower without allowance. we
are in good health as a Company
or a Regiment, We had a re-
-view & inspection yesterday &
our Brigade made an excelent
appearance, Regts-full. We shall
probably have no fighting on this
line this winter. The Enemy are
having sham fights nearly every
week, & probably they mean
to come out. Gen prognostication
has been [?] That the Enemy
would not again advance, being
whiped, as they stood, I hoped
to get off on furlow for today
but, Beauregard & Johnston
Knocked it "in the head" [?]
Your friend J D Webb is an

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& now at home. Borden
hopes to get a furlow. I am
now consenting to my lot never
to return home till peace is
concluded.

The Weather has
been & is unprecedentedly
beautiful showing in
a [?] Way the interpos
iton of a Divine Providence
Not a drop of snow & but
little rain--roads good &
dry. Shall be glad to hear from
you at your leiser

My regards to Mr Hughes
& Dr Holeman Yr Friend
& Bro. Wm B. Ellison

MSS 640


[to be continued]