The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-12-12
From Birds Point.


CAMP TAYLOR, BIRDS POINT, Nov. %, 1861.
DEAR PARENTS:
The day has again come when we all love to be
at home and gather around the long table, with its
feast of good things and better to enjoy the socie-
ty of relations and friends in happy unison OF feel
ing and thankfullness to our God Father ABOVE
for the bountiful blessings of a year past. You
cannot imagine how we would wish to be with
you to-day, but we must be content with recollec-
tons of past Thanksgiving and wishes to join you
to day. That the day may be Of some interest 10
us in camp, our squad are to go to Cairo and hay
ing secured table for our special benefit at the
st. Charles we expect pleasant time. We have
been so engaged with our log houses that letter
writing has been a secondary affair, and find my
self quite behind in correspondence. The morn,
ing papers bring the news of a fight between the
Forts OH the Southern coast and the enemy; we
hope the reports are true concerning the issue of
the battle. | cannot see why The Chtc0go I'rlb-
alne should know so much more about a march to
Columbus than we, surely. Ihave heard nothing
concerning an intended move in that direction -
The weather is very unpleasant and we hope to
occupy our Houses soon.
Dee. LIST.
The winter of 1862 opened its icy volume with
bright and beautiful title page and the first call
was from Charlie 20 get up and see the eastern
horizon in all the coors of golden sunrise. The
day is a delightful one, and being Sunday, we OF
course think ofthe many pleasant scenes attend
ant upon one spent at home, enjoying the blessed
privileges of the House of God and the Society o.
Christian friends. l never till now or during my
soldier life fully realized the value of those days,
and | assure you that return from this wear
some life will add much to their pleasure and prof.
on my part. May God see fit soon to close this
fearful and real drama of bloodshed and destruC.
ton. I've sometimes said that the happiest mo
ment of this life to me will be when | step within
the limits of Home alive and well, with an honor
able discharge from my present obligations My
heart burns with a desire to do my duty to my
country, SO that we may be free from this mise
rabe rebellion, and again enjoy The privileges OF
a free country, free homes and free speech. There
is not true soldier in the service but wishes for
the time when a movement shall be made that
shall wipe out the rebels now in arms against the
loyal Governmeet. 1 hope you may hereafter keep
me posted as far as advisable to the hea 18th OF
the family, for cannot rest while any of you are
unwel and myself in ignorance of the details or
the health by the last mail. Our Thanksgiving
was pleasant one, and yet nothing to be com
pared with those at home. We had an excellent
dinner and pleasant walk in the afternoon but
these soldiers are not genuine friends my heart
was at home all day, but my presence far distant,
as | found to my sorrow when the wish came to
be with you. | pictured you all seated around
the table, and wondered if you did not set plate
for me and sister Jennie. l wonder how Jennie
spent the day and if they have any Thanksgiving
in India. | know she thought of the annualgath-
ering and the pleasant scenes of the feast. / was
panied to hear of the bad health of Grandma. Yet
the sands have nearly out, and the three score
and ten years are all but gone. and we cannot say
No, to the call of death. But her life has been one
III earnest, and the mission of true Christian wo-
man fully shown in her character, and we mourn
the loss ofsuch a bright example of Christian
grace and faith in the promises of God.
We had quite a snow storm OH the och, which
reminded quite forcibly of the approach of cold
weather. As Gen Grant has issued orders against
furloughs we shall not enjoy the privilege of a
visit at home during the holidays but we must be
very happy in camp, and we shall be happier when
we do 60 home Remembrance to all those friends
ofthe Cavalry Regiment. We hope to see them
here soon.