Loudoun Co Vir. January 1st 1862

Dear Mollie,

I received your precious letter yesterday dated 22nd Dec which [I] read and reread with pleasure. Happy new year to you. This day enters us to a new year and how many of our friends will live to see another new years day[?]

My health is still bad, but am much better today than I have been for three weeks. I dont hardly know what is the matter with me. The fever rises on me every evening about three O clock and cools off about midnight. I have taken enough calomel and [q]uinine to kill a horse and still it does me but little good.

In my last I told you I was salivated. I have gotton well of that but I tell you my mouth was verry sore for about a week. I am staying at a Mr. Davis. Have been here eleven days. They charge three dollars per week board. That I had rather pay than stay in camp or go to the hospital. [Her brother] Charles has the jaundice and is staying here also. Says he is getting well. He will bee able to go back to camp in a few days.

Oh Darling I do nothing but think of you against me. But how can I keep my mind from you one moment. Sometimes I think it will bee impossible for me to get well while separated so far from the one that is derer to me than life itsself, but I know it will not do for me to suffer myself to be carried away by such thoughts. I will try and banish them from my mind.

One of our Company died last saturday: Johy [John J.] Massey at the hospital with typhoid fever. Those hospitals are just like slaughters pens. Half or nearly so that go there either die or ar fit for nothing if they get well. If I shoud go to one I would despair of ever leaveing it alive. I never will go to one if I can help it.

I am glad it has turned cold enough in attala to kill hogs. I hope the job is over with you before this. I wish I could have been there to help you. The weather has been cold enough here to kill hogs every day for two months.

Alva [E.A.] Dotson starts for home this morning. I did not know it until late yesterday evening. Hee came out to see me and took supper with me. He has received a discharge. He promised me faithfully to go by and see you. I would have sent a letter to you by him but had not the time to write it. This will get there nearly as quick as he.

There is no excitement here whatever. We are building huts for winter quarters. I am afraid my mess will be behind with ours, as thre of the best of us at such business are sick, but I have heard they were getting along verry well.

I suppose you have heard of the fight at Dranesville [east of Leesburg]. We were over powered and lost one hundred and sixty men in killed and wounded. I have nothing more.

(Oh yes) I have your likenes, my bed quilt and blankets & Bible. For the present goodbye your Newton.

Give my love [to] all the relatives and friends and receive a double portion to yourself.