Winchester Virginia Dec 30th 1861

My Dear Father and Mother

Tonight I am going to write you a short letter. Uncle R. Boyd is here now he came to tis place yeaterday evening. Nearly everyone got something But Jim and me. It is seldom we get anything But what we pay our money for. I have been Barefooted several days. This morning I fell into a pr. of Boots. I gave a $10 Bill for them and glad to them at that. Wrote you a letter By Mr McCelund I suppose you haven't Rec'd it yet you will get this one sooner than it as it will take Mr. Mc nearly a month to get home. Mother I write a while & cry a while. My eyes is nearly smoked out of my head. A camp is the Smokiest place you ever saw. I am nearly wore out. We have been on the March 22 days. You left Glenview Bridge on 6th just had arrived here on the 27th. I tell you we had a hard time We suffered a great deal during the time we were on the march. The weather has been Beautiful for the time of year, dry & cold has past and gone. We march all day. I Recon I was a little of the Sourest Boy ever you saw. I don't believe I spoke one Word all day until some one spoke to me & then the answer was pretty short I tellyou. Toward Evening I took on a little of the playful. Hoping to feel better. But it done me no good at all. Mr McFew & Palmer A Snow got up to camp. Mc told me you were very uneasy about me I am sorry to hear you have been uneasy. I was very low I had no idea of living any length of time when Jim wrote to you. But I am still living Thank God & I Hope I may Continue to improve. I was so sorry when I heard Father was disappointed if left the Bridge the day we trurned Back. He might have come or he could v reached the Bridge in 2 days & half. we went 12 miles from the Bridge & stayed 4 days. So he culd have reached us easy. I would have gone Home with him. I couldv gotten off Easy. I am not well yet I am very fearful I will get down again. I feel the Effects of Measels now. My Breast Hurts me continually. We are Encamped near Winchester we have about 10,000 Troops here we are Expecting to March against the Yankies. Every day we will have a hard Fight in less than 10,000. I tellyou it makes me feel a little spotted when I think about meeting the Yankies. But I must do it if it costs my life, which it is very certain to do Holding the Position of Hold in the Regt. Well there's no use to say a word we are in for it, let the Result be what it may. Mother I would be glad to see you all & Especially the little children. give my love to all. Tell Grand Father's Folks Howdy for me. Good Bye.
Your Son,
Samuel P. McFarlane