1863 January 5 Falmouth, Va.

             Head Quarters Engineers
                       Falmouth Virginia
                                  Jan 5th / 63
Friend Dennett
                                   Again I take
a few moments to answer your kind
letter which came to hand this morning
and was pleased to hear you are
so comfortable and getting along so
well.  I am still in the enjoyment
of good health, and hope this letter
will find you entirely cured of
your complaint.  Of the disease
that you are afflicted I know nothing
as I never was troubled with it, but
from your writing I know it must
be berry disagreeable.  Now for the
news. The holidays are past, Chris-
tmas and New Years Day were spent
alike by us.  The same old stile
of goverment raitions were searved

[page 2]
out, and the most of us having good
health and appetites we did ample
justice to them.  As for the amuse
ments of the days, they were various
each one enjoyed themselves as best
they could.  New Years Day or I
mean the day before was musterday
all through the army of the Potomac
We were mustered for six months
pay.  I hope Uncle Sam will be
more punctual in future in settling
with us, for we, or I for one find
it very inconvenient to be without
pay so long.  I could get along well
enough if I could only get tobacco
for you know when you was with
us that if a soldier gets out of that
article time hangs more heavily on
his hands.  Well I hope we will
be supplied soon.  As for the war
news thier is nothing worth relating.
Every things remains quiet since the
late battle.  As the rebels are so

[page 3]
confident that we will not make an
other attempt to cross over the river
& molest them, they have actually
come out in strong numbers from
behind thier brestworks, and pitched
thier tents on a large space of
ground directly in front of our
troops.  It is somewhat puzzeling
to us to know where they get such
good tents. Hundreds of wall and
Sibly tents altogether new are
exposed to our view while we have
to put up with the small shelter
tent.  But I must not grumble,
although it is hard work for me to re
main silent.  As the army here does
not see any prospect of moveing they
have commenced to make themselves
as comfortable as possible under the
circumstances.  Many log huts have
taken the place of the shelter tents
and I tell you there is quite a large
city built up in a few days  I would

[page 4]
lie to give you a description of the
different stile of buildings and the
different fireplaces and chimnies but
as I have to attend to some duty before
long I would not have time and the
mail soon closes so I have to hurry
"The health of the army is ex
cellent.  All of the sick and those
that were not able to beare fatigue
have been sent to Washington and
different places.  The spirits of
the troops here are excellent (so rumor
is) I for my part am contented enough
and I might as well be for thier
is no other alternative.  I must
close the boys all wish to be
remembered to you. Sargents Hackett
Kendell & Turner, Corporals Marr
Clarke & & & wish as well as all to be
remembered to . The compliments
of the season from
         Your Old Friend
                Thaddeus H. Pendleton
Direct as before write as soon as possible