The Civil War Letters of Forrest Little - Feb. 1, 1862
Co F 5th Reg’t Vermont Volunteers, Camp Griffin
Febuary 1st 1862
Dear Father & Mother
I now take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well & I hope to find you the same I came off from picket guard yesterday morning I caught a very hard cold I cant speak only in a whisper it snowed last night a very little it rains now like the old harry I dont know when this muddy weather will be over with it rains and snows all the time the mud is up to my knees now why you cant walk 15 Rods without stopping to Rest oh it is awful we have got to have a big monthly inspection to morrow General brooks & General Smith inspects us oh how I dread it there was a fellow by the name of John Smith in our company got a furlough to go home for 10 days that was 15 days ago he has not got back he was Reported a deserter yesterday morning if they ever catch him I pity him he will be shot there has 5 men deserted from our Regt since we been here there has two on [furlough] sworn to desert I would like to come home on a furlough pretty well if I could but I cant I shall have to wait till the Regiment is discharged and then I can come I got your likenesses put in a case yesterday I will get mine taken pretty soon and send it to you there aint a day passes but what 2 or 3 deserters from the Rebel army comes through our lines they are deserting by the Wholesale I tell you but I must stop for this time so Good bye this from you Affectionate Son
Forrest
Write as soon as you get this
-- Next Letter: February 7, 1862
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