Camp Dupont Va Near Munsons Hill Jan 20th 1862 Dear Brother and Sister I received yours of the 12th last Thursday; and as it is stormy to day and nothing else to do, I will try and answer your letter. I am happy to hear that you have got a better chanse (Luther) to work, where you can make more pay; but there is one thing, you can not have so long a job there as you had on the Corp. but perhaps you can have a job there again as soon as they start up. They have got a job up to Manchester in the Old Shop to Make Guns, so I hear. Father has not writtten to me since I have _______________________________ 2 been here, one reason is I suppose, I have not written to him. I have been expecting that the 7th Reg. would come out here, but it seemes that they are not, but are going with Gen. Butlers Division. I did not receive those papers that you sent me. Papers do not come so direct as letters as a general thing. I have received two papers from Hellen, one was a Pictorial and one the Telegraph. The Telegraph is a good paper I think. I got a good deal of interesting matter out of it. Those came direct that hellen sent me. I hate Va. Mud as bad as ever, but as for Va. Negroes there are not many of them here. They have fled, some with _________________________________ 3 their Masters and some have fled in to the land of freedom, become Controbands. There has been a few here a choping wood for Munson in that Grove that we first Camped in when we came here. I talked with them some, and they were quite inteligent and worked well to, better than Prishmon. Then Lydia you think that we are in a fine part of the Country do you, and that there are fine Houses here. You would never leave NH. again, if you were here now, it is Mud!!!! Mud !!!! Mud!!!! it sometimes pulls a mans Boots off, and it has rained most of the time for two or three weeks. You say that you would like to ______________________________ 4 be where you could send me something to to eat. It would be first rate and no mistake, but I dont need it just now, for I received a Box of Provisions from Rachel last Saturday. She sent me pies, Cakes, Butter, Cheese, Ginger Snaps, a vest and two pair of feeting, &c, so you see I am haveing a rich treat just at this time. I had for Dinner to day, bean Soup Tea, Bread and butter, Cheese Hogs Head Cheese, Ginger snaps and mince pie. What do you think of that for a Soldiers fare. Well we dont have that kind of food every day, but have that that is very good, good healthy food. We had some nice Baked Beans yestarday, (Sunday). They were Baked in an oven that we made in the Ground out of Brick where a house had been burned down, and it is a nice one to. as for nice Houses, you would call yours a Palace by the side of the ones they have out here. They are awful homley things, at least the most that I have seen, but I must close Write often both of you. good day, from your Brother T C Cheney.