Camp Key Jan 12, 1862

Beloved wife

As this is a day of rest (Sunday) I am permitted to think of Home. I have wanted to write to you frequently last week but when I returned to camp I found a majority of my company sick. I have been unusually busy. We have a drill master and I have been very anxious to attend drill. The officers drill from 8 A.M. to 11 and company drills from 1:30 to 4 P.M. making 5 hours each day. We have not more than a dozen privates at drill. The rest (except for (those) that stand guard) are unable for duty. We are furloughing all who are able to get home and get certificates from the surgeon that they can go home with safety. There are but about two cases in our company except measels. Monroe Upchurch has been quite sick but is getting about well. D.W. Hale is the only one now that I think is dangerous. He is bad got fever. We sent him to day to the General Hospital (the deaf and dumb assylum).

Lieut. Hashew has just returned from home but brought no news from home. I am anxious to hear from Jo. I suppose he must be sick or he would have been back before now. He had better get a certificate from Dr. Funily and have his furlough extended if he is unable to return soon.

I am getting along very well now in regard to my eating. Ivy is a pretty good cook. No one is staying in my tent with me. I have had a chimney built to my tent which adds to the comforts of camp life more than anything that I have tried. I am as comfortable as I would desire. If I knew that you were getting along all right at home I could enjoy myself very well. I have got entirely well of my cold and cough. I am of the belief that I can stand it through the winter since I have tried a chimney to my tent. I had some doubts before. You can't tell how much advantage it is. I hope you have written to me before now. I want to hear from home very much. Has father visited you? I want to hear from him. Will he remain at Pikeville any length of time? Mr. Rogers may return home soon to remain all winter, say nothing about this. How are the hogs doing? The weather has been favorable except for watering them? How does your gutters operate? 

We have not drawn money yet. If we knew the cost of those clothes made at Pikeville we would get money soon. We have had our company inspected and all who were present will get their money as soon as we can make out the pay-bill. I wish Jo had been here so he could have drawn his pay. 

I think there is a probability of our regiment leaving here soon. Troops are needed in Western Va. and the troops that are stationed on the railroad at the bridges drilled and armed will be ordered to Western Va. and we will take their places. If we can go to Calhoun I shall not care. Many of our regiment are anxious to leave here. They think the place has something to do with their sickness. I have no idea it does. There is no sickness scarcely except measels. When they get well I think we will have good health. The companies that first came have got over the worst and now they are most all ready and able for duty.

I have not got my trunk yet. I understand that the Johnsons have arrived and they have probably got it. Now please write to me as I feel more anxious than usual to hear from you. What has been done with the Spears notes? How much more have you collected since I left? What about your negro trade? I want to know where your father is as soon as you learn as I want to write to him. I suppose I have written enough for this time. I will try to write again soon. I know you have a bad chance to write but you must try to write as often as you can as it affords me so much pleasure or rather relieves me of anxiety.

I am your loving husband

W.J. Hill


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Transcription used with permission of Charles Massey.

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Transcription by Charles Massey.
Image by G. Anne Sloan