Dear Mary

     I wrote you one week since and the weather was a verry fine but in the last few days it seemes as if winter was coming down on us with her large frost an wintry Blast. it has been raing to day and I dont know what it will next do. Mary I am some what disheartened to night sent to the Depot for my Boots and Blankets and they could not be found and I have no idea of ever seeing them I have got nothing at all that was sent me I wish you and my friends to send me nothing more as I cant get it. you and my friends can send me as many letters as you conveniently can as I am verry anxious to hear from you and them dont you think because I have not

found my Clothing that I sleep cold for I sleep verry well and warm enough. and think I will make out some how. I can say to you that I am still enjoying the verry best of health I weigh about 160^lbs or more and that is some 12 or 14^lbs more than I ever did before. When I last wrote you ever thing was in the dark and it is still in the same condition as to what we are a going to do this winter some say we are going to building huts to to winter in but who will stay in them I cant say for I cant perceive for my life what the commanders intend to do with us. our folks col Fulton [i.e., Col. Alfred E. Fulton, 8th Tennessee Infantry] and in fact all are geting verry anxious to know whether we are to stay this winter. we are getting plenty to eat now but a verry small supply of provisions on hands at this time I have sent you several letters to Fayetteville to the care of George F Smith

if you have not got them tell Will to send and get them for you. I am getting verry impatient to hear from you for I have not heard a word from you and the Children since 17th of last month and it seems like an age to me I wish you or Ellen to write me every week and dont forget it you can remind my friends how glad I would be to hear from them &c tell your Pa that Perry and Mack are both well Billy Andrews has come up and looks verry well the Regiments is in very good health at this time I have been verry busy this week I think I have done one of the hardest weeks work I ever done in my life we inspected the Regiment last Thursday guns knapsacks cartridge Boxes clothing Col Fulton assisted by my self inspected our Regiment and it took us all day hard work and I have been busy ever since making out reports &c

Mary take good care of your self and the children and be as cheerful as you can and be of good cheer for I am doing a great deal better than you think I am Mary I want you to kiss all of the children for me and tell them to be good children for I remember them and you to our heavenly Father ever night before I go to sleep trusting that he will take care of us all and that we we will meet again before verry long give my Respects to all of my friends and reserve a large portions for your self

yours &c
Chris C McKinney