Head Quarters 8th Division, Camp Hamilton, 6 miles South of Nashville, Dec. 17th / 62

My Dear Julia

I received yours of December 1st last night and truly glad to hear from you. I am well at present and sincerely hope those few line will find you enjoying the same great blessing. We left town this day a week ago and came out here. We have a beautiful camp, the weather is cool, but pleasant. We had a very heavy rain day before yesterday. I am almost at a loss to know what to write at the present time but I will endeavor to write a few line of something. Our Regiment was out a foraging yesterday and came very near getting into a fight. Skirmishing occurs almost every day all along our front but does not amount to much. There has been some hard fighting going on at Fredericksburg. All them Butler County Companies I suppose was in it. I saw in the papers that Tyler's Brigade charged the enemy's batteries. Burnside says he has men enough. I had letter about a week ago from John he said he was well that was the first letter I have had from him since we went to war.

General Rosecrans reviewed this Division the other day. He speaks well of the 78th. The New York Tribune says it is the best Regt. in the Western Department. We are still expecting to hear good news from the Army in Virginia, but do not think will take Richmond very soon, but I do believe if can be taken, Burnside will take it. We was bad off for socks for a while, but we can get them now. The Army is well clothed and fed now and is under strict discipline. General Rosecrans is a very strict disciplinarian. You wished they would get up a box for to send to me . Ruth is going to send to me a box and if you have any thing you want to send to me you can send it in her box. I wish I could get a good mess of buckwheat cakes, but I am too far away from the Buckwheat country for that.

Saturday night, by candle light

I was not mistaken about getting a letter from you. I rec'd your kind letter this evening and was glad to hear from you. I was sorry to hear if Liz being so poorly. I knew she was sick but did not know she was so bad. I was also very sorry to hear of so many of acquaintances dying in the service of their Country. I am glad to hear of the soldiers getting married. I think the girls they are getting are sensible. As for John Buck cutting me out I am not much afraid. I know you too well for to think about that. I have not got the box yet that Ruth sent me and I don't know whether I will get it or not, for John Morgan has destroyed the Rail Road between Louisville & Nashville, but I expect it will come by the River you need not be sorry for not sending me any thing in it for Ruth has sent me everything that I need.

I hope by the time this reaches you Lizy will be better. Well Love I am at a loss to know what more to write at present. I was surprised to hear of Joe Campbell being married. His Regt. is here, but I don't think he is here yet. His Regt. is in the same Brigade that the 78th P. V. is. I have no doubt that you would have me if I should lose a limb, but I think you are too good to have a man with only one leg or one arm. But I hope I will get home safe to see happier days and I hope you will have good health to receive me which I trust you will do kindly.

My thoughts by day and dreams by night are of you. Well Love I must close. Write soon, for I live to hear from you. I remain yours until death.

DWH

Address in care of Genl. Negley, Commanding 8th Division, Nashville, Tenn. By directing them this way, I will get the leter here at Head Quarters.

NB Write soon a long letter for I love to hear from you

Excuse all mistakes

Yours Truly, Lover