[Note: This letter is in the Cornelius Van Houten Correspondence, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, but it has not been previously transcribed.]

Fort Thompson, Va.
December 8, 1864

Dear Father,

I suppose by this time you have given up all hope of getting a reply to your last, but you need not for I have at last found the long looked-for opportunity to write. Between moving and fixing up quarters, I have found but little time to spare on my own account. I am now on guard and it is three o’clock in the morning or I don’t know if I could find time yet. We have left Fort Davis and moved about seven miles farther to the left. We found most everything upside down so we have been kept pretty busy in righting them. Capt. Clark will have everything just so or it won’t do. He is very particular about having every tent built just so and in just such a position and sometimes it gives us boys a great deal of labor. But after he gets things arranged, I tell you we look nice. Our camp generally looks like a neatly laid out small town.

We have had orders to build winter quarters and the most of us have them done. I have a nice log shanty just like the one we had last winter only instead of having a bunk in each end, we have them both in one end, one above another, and a fireplace and door in the other so we have a great deal more rom to sit in. Every time we put up a shanty, we learn better how to make the best of things and have them more comfortable. We are not so particular about a little work. Why when we first came in the army we would not stir but would lie down in the ground anywhere. But now we don’t think of such a thing. If we only stop two days in a place, we are sure to have good bunks about 8 inches or a foot off of the ground. That is one great thing that makes our army so much healthier than it used to be—we have more healthy exercise, and when we lie down, we are high and dry. And that is one thing why our new recruits do not see where there is so much hardships in a soldier life for we old boys have learned by sad experience the trade, and of course we tell them how to get along the best way. I cannot say I am sorry I learned the trade, but I do wish we could get through with this big job we have on hand. I don’t think I should work at it again very soon. I should like very much to try something else.

Father, I am very much obliged to you for that box. I can tell you I have hardly thought of fighting or anything else but buckwheat cakes and sausage for some time. Everything was alright in the box. It had not been opened. I hope I may repay you some time for your kindness.

The greatest portion of our army is on the move again. We expect something big this time. We are among the lucky ones again. We are left to garrison this fort. You must not be surprised if my next letter is headed “Richmond” or some other town farther south. Give my love to Mary and Mother and the rest. Write again to your son, — C. F. H.