Transcription of letter:

Camp 18 miles east of Knoxville, Tenn.

Dec. 21st A. D. 1863

Dear Mother,

After several days of real cold winter weather like the birds we are made cheerful with the return of a warm and pleasant day. My ink yesterday was in a frozen state, & I like the ink was too cold to write. I have several letters to answer as we have had but little time, & poor chance to write frequently. We have been marching, & in line of battle sometimes day & night. As yet we have not engaged the enemy; though some of our Brigade did at Kingston 24th Nov. We formed a line of Skirmishers on the extreme left. I got a letter from Charlie 14th last & four more on the 17th one from C. C. one from Carr one from C. J. & one from Mr. Stiles. Morts letter was dated Folly Island, S.C. Nov. 21st. he was well. Cynthia was going to school. I regret to learn of the death of Wm. Stephenson. We must soon cross the same stream. We received some pay last Saturday. We got 4 months wages & settled last years clothing bill. There was 4.75 coming to me out of the 42 dollars appropriated to that purpose. I got 56.75. I send 40 dollars to you by State Agent. The receipt I send in this letter. it explains itself. I lent 20 dollars to a comrade in battle. I have some 13 dollars yet. I should have sent the twenty but he desired it & is honest. I have two pair of shoes now & two pair socks. The mittens I brought from home are as good as new. I drew another good coat - have two old shirts & one new one. Many are worse off than I. The prospect of sendingn clothing &c. I should think is rather dark. I should not desire you to think of it. rations are scarce. I hear them call out a load of hard tack. We have had no bread since yesterday noon. I dined last night on a tin cup of coffee & a lump of lard. I slept well over it & an well this morning.

Yours Affectionately, P. S. S. Scott.