John Spafford to Joseph Spafford, Joseph Spafford to John Spafford
Primary tabs
Sunday 9.30 P.M.My Dear Son,
I wish to ask you a few questions, and will leave room for answers on the same so
you can fill it out and return it. – Cold weather is coming. Are you
sufficiently clothed? if not can you get what you need there? We are now sufficiently clothed clothed warm enough, in fact all
the clothing we can transport. We can get stockings drawers, &c of the
suttler. Have you sufficient in your tent to sleep comfortable? I
could send you a comforter or quilt. I think there must be a box sent to the
Weathersfield boys, if you can not get all you need ther. What can
you buy of the suttlers? We have all we need in our tent. I don’t
realy know whether we want a box sent or not, wait until you hear
further from me on the subject.
I see by the yesterday paper that
they have beet taking troops from Washington within two or three day I hope you
are not gone, but if you are I suppose this will reach you sometime where ever
you are. If there is anything you need you can not get where you are let us know
it and we will send it. I know you must need drawers. Are you pants lined? Are
your others that you wore off worn out? cant you wear them underneath till you
get some others? Can it be you have not recd my letters? You say you see they
have been taking troops from W. within a few days & hope I am not among
them. We have not been at W. for three weeks, we only stoped there a
few days, then went to Chain Bridge (about 10 miles from W.) and
stoped until about a week ago when we came here to Camp Griffin,
about 5 miles south west of Chain Bridge We have got our Overcoats, drawers,
undershirts, & everything but our dress coats. - I recd this 2 days after it
was mailed. We have got your overcoat. I wish you had it
Sunday night half past 11 P.M.
I will ask you a few questions and go to bed. What do you do about your washing now? You can not go to the river and wash now of course. Your shirt that you wear next your body ought to be clean certainly every two weeks and your stockings oftener. Heat water at the cook tent and do it myself sometimes and sometimes hire it done. 5 cts a piece Is it at all comfortable in your tent? and how is it warmed? Quite comfortable. Warmed by a small sheet iron stove. Was there anything broken or leaked out in your box? Not any thing Didn’t so much good victuals at Thanksgiving make you sick? Not a bit. I will run the risk of that any time.