December 14th, 1862 Kanawha Valley

Kanawha Valley
Dec. 14, 1862

Dear Father

Yours of the 5th inst. was duly received. Day before yesterday Ellis arrived in camp bringing with him boots for Mat Scott, Cal Wells & for myself a pair of boots and gloves: they came just in the right time, as we are beginning to have some cold weather and mud. The boots are the best & most needed article we could have received at this time, they are the best fit I have ever had.

You say you have made arrangements with Dan Law about sending the Messenger regularly, this will be a great treat – not only for me, but to all the boys, for when a Messenger is known to be in the company it goes from man to man until the whole company have committed to memory the most interesting items, & especially the doings of the Aid Society.

This is Sunday: the boys have ceased from labor, the first Sunday since we entered the valley; we have been quite busy for the last three weeks building little cabins for our winter quarters. We have four for each company 20 ft.by 22 ft. with fireplaces, chimneys and well covered with boards – will I think be very comfortable. 

We have no chaplain as yet – think we will not have one. 

We have fine weather now for this time of the year - are I think having our Indian summer.

I wrote to Grandma last week in answer to her letter – suppose she has received it ere this. I put in this letter some soldier trimmings for Geo., that he may uniform himself whilst he is practicing some of his “retreat” tunes on his drum.

We have a good baker among us now, so that we have soft bread about half the time. He is from Harmar – Jno. Hiserman – who had a bakery in H.

The boys are most all getting along first rate, but little sickness. Frank is all right, talks of going into the regular army if he finds a good opportunity.

Much love to all affect.
your son D. Putnam