January 3rd, 1862

Jan. 3/62

Camp “Betty Black” Minors Hill Va.

Dear Mag

            I recd your / note last night, I suppose / you have read Capt. Monks / letter by this time and / it is not necessary for me / to say much about the reports / of Riley, Mohney, & Co.  

Only I think mother has / lived long enough in this world / to know that it is very / deceitful and that it is folly / to believe every idle report / She has lived enough with / Gan & me to know that we / are not in the habit of carrying / on in just such a manner / as that christian father Riley / & his satalites report. / Riley hates the name of Lowry

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Mother knows that he gave her / a cut in prayer meeting.  I know / that he got mad at some / fancied misconduct of Gan / at camp meetings, that he reproved / me in Pritner’s store one time / for another fancied offence / He, Capt, Monks, & I had / a spat just before we left home / and he in christian spirit still / keeps up the feud by lying / about us, while we are where / none of his family have / the blood to show themselves  / Well this is enough of this / I have been troubled enough / about it.  You Say nothing / More about it, let them / talk if they will, they will / have to eat their own words / We are well, and getting / along very comfortably, / have lots of bed clothes &

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good tents & warm stoves, / and plenty to eat.  Capt / Monks bought the men an / Oyster dinner on New Years / & had chicken & the fixins / for ourselves, And every one / enjoyed themselves very well

            How were the children / pleased with their presents, / I sent Ian a pair of my old / pants so that he could have / a pair with stirrups on  / Camp is a pretty hard place / on clothes  Mrs. Col Black / and her two daughters have / been in camp for a good / while & left yesterday,  Mrs Capt Means is here / now.  It looks very nicely / to see womin in camp

            How is Millinery flourishing / now?  Do you get as / much work as formerly

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Who was so foolish as to / tell Mother those reports / about us.  So Mr. Hilliard / is going to war at last, / peace go with him.

I had a letter from Ben / Huey last night. 

Ben is one of the best of fellows  And I was very / sorry to have him leave / but he was not able to / be of any service here / and is better at home/  Remember me to the girls /  I suppose you & Miss Thom / think you are butchers since / you cut up that quarter of / beef  Well the drum / is beating for drill & I / must close & go out

Yours,

Gust