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Regiment: 6th Wisconsin Infantry
Battles Mentioned: Bailey’s Crossroads, Virginia; Dranesville, Virginia
Historical Figures:
Arlington Hights Va
Jan 10th 1862
Brother Everett
I will now
try and write a few lines
in answer to your letter
I was glad to hear from
you and I hope you will
continue to write. I think
with a little practice in
letter writing you will do
very well. I am as
tough as a bear and
hope this will you all
well. The weather here has
been about as changable
as a Lieutenants temper.
about two weeks ago it
was quite warm and mild
since then we have had
a cold spell and about
1 ½ inches of snow. it is
wet and muddy now
The 28
th of Dec was
my birth day it was cele-
brated by a Division drill
and shom fight at Baileys
Crossroads. Last Saturday
our Regt went out on
the front on Picket we
had a pretty cold time of
it four negroes came in
to our lines during the night
they were ragged and dirty
they came from Richmond
The squad that I was
in stopped in a desreted
house there was a nice
fire place so we kept a
good fire all night
It was so cold that
we had to be releived
every hour. We came back
the next day (about nine
miles) and brought our
knapsacks without stopping.
I suppose you had a
good time New Years
day riding in that new
[ ? ] what young lady
who the favored one?
I went New Years out to
the 5
th Regt about ten
miles from here, near
Lewsinsville. I came back
the 2
nd. The Soldiers had
a great time out there
running, jumping, writing,
climbing a greased pole
and catching a greased
pig. Lewinsville is about
8 miles from Dranesville
where there was a battle a
short time since
One of our men from
Baraboo Edward Ames
died the 2
nd of this month
He had the consumption
we sent his bodely home
I cant think of much
more to write this time
I want you to tell
[ ? ] to write. I will
answer Marys letter in
a few days. Tell Father
to write as often as he can
Give my love to all
From your affectionate
Brother
William W Spear
