DIY History | Transcribe | Civil War Diaries and Letters | Andrew F. Davis papers, 1862

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26_1862-01-27-Page 04

As regards the box of goods which the ladies are talking of Sending I hardly know what to say.  There are several of our Company who have no gloves and some are complaining that they need socks and a verry few are enquiring for Shirts and drawers. The Captain drew 2 doz in Socks yesterday from the Quarter Master but I pronounce them poor things.  The weather has been so warm that they have not needed gloves as bad as I expected they would but Still they would be verry acceptable to those that have none.  The boys are allowed forty two ($42,00) per year for clothes and if they get more than that amount it is taken out of their wages.  In footing up our books a few days since it was found that almost evry one in the company had already drawn from $40 to $55 worth of clothes so that at the end of the year you see they are bound to come out considerably behind and all the clothing the boys receive by donation. will be that much saved to them.  When the goods are sent to the Quarter Master at Indianapolis the goverment turns them over to the boys at regular prices and the goverment pockets the profits whereas if they ware sent directly to the companies and distributed to the boys then they save the profits.  This is the light in which I view the matter and the ladies can think of the matter as it suits them and if they wish to send any thing to our company or Regiment and wish to send it in my Care I will gladly distribute them according to their instructions.  We have had orders for more than a week to be ready to march at a minutes notice but I see no sign of going any more than I did a month ago.  The pay Master has not made his appearance yet and I tell you some of us are getting verry impatient.  I have 3 dimes left yet.  Did you get word to send us some butter if so push it along if not why  Serring Crist Burgess and myself want a box of Butter I must stop for the sheet is full and my heel hurts.  If there is any extract of this letter that our friends want published let them have it if not all right.  Write soon,  
your affectionate husband 
A.F. Davis

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As regards the box of goods which the ladies are talking of Sending I hardly know what to say. There are several of our Company who have no gloves and some are complaining that they need socks and a verry few are enquiring for Shirts and drawers. The Captain drew 2 doz in Socks yesterday from the Quarter Master but I pronounce them poor things. The weather has been so warm that they have not needed gloves as bad as I expected they would but Still they would be verry acceptable to those that have none. The boys are allowed forty two ($42,00) per year for clothes and if they get more than that amount it is taken out of their wages. In footing up our books a few days since it was found that almost evry one in the company had already drawn from $40 to $55 worth of clothes so that at the end of the year you see they are bound to come out considerably behind and all the clothing the boys receive by donation. will be that much saved to them. When the goods are sent to the Quarter Master at Indianapolis the goverment turns them over to the boys at regular prices and the goverment pockets the profits whereas if they ware sent directly to the companies and distributed to the boys then they save the profits. This is the light in which I view the matter and the ladies can think of the matter as it suits them and if they wish to send any thing to our company or Regiment and wish to send it in my Care I will gladly distribute them according to their instructions. We have had orders for more than a week to be ready to march at a minutes notice but I see no sign of going any more than I did a month ago. The pay Master has not made his appearance yet and I tell you some of us are getting verry impatient. I have 3 dimes left yet. Did you get word to send us some butter if so push it along if not why Serring Crist Burgess and myself want a box of Butter I must stop for the sheet is full and my heel hurts. If there is any extract of this letter that our friends want published let them have it if not all right. Write soon, your affectionate husband A.F. Davis