Camp near Louisville, Ky
Dec. 24th 1864
Dear Wife,
I take my pen in hand to write you a few line to let you know that I am well with the exception of a very bad cold which has been getting worse for the last two weeks. It has been so bad for three or four days that I could not speak out loud sometimes. But it is some better as I went to the Dr. and got some medicine for three days. Yesterday he excused me from duty and would today but I told that I could do duty.
We have very cold weather with a little snow but this is a fair day and most of it will go off today.
Day before yesterday we had orders to go on General Review yesterday at ten o'clock and to leave this morning but just as the boys were getting ready the order was countermanded and now we will have Review next Tuesday and we do not know when we will leave. I am cooking beans and pork and am sitting on a camp kettle by the fire. The news is still very cheering from all quarters and General Thomas has given old Hood such a cleaning out before Nashville that they do not need us as bad as they did and I think we will spend the winter in Kentucky cleaning out Guerrillas and Bushwhackers. Last Wednesday the 1st Batallion left here. The report is that they have gone to Gravel Hill in this state.
I recd your welcome letter of the 19th yesterday and was happy to learn that you were all well and in such fine spirits. Hope that these few lines may reach you all well. You say I look so old. You must bear in mind that I am growing old, as I will be 31 this spring if I live and most man do not take me to be more than 25. But I will admit that the picture does look old. You may send Mary one and you say that I looked downhearted and if I did, I did not feel so but it was vary dark cloudy day and that might make some difference and I am in good spirits for every thing looks so favorable now for peace. To know that you are getting along well is a great satisfaction to me.
We drew very good victuals here and I wish you had what we do not use. We do not use more than half our sugar and coffee and the rest we trade off for milk and sausages and sometimes sell it for the money.
It is good enough for Calvin Kryder that he was drafted. He might have volunteered before this but you must not tell them that or it would cause offense. I had a letter from Salome lest week.
Well, I have no news of importance so I will come to a close by wishing you a Merry Christmas and New Year which is close at hand. My beans are most done and I want some dinner. No more this time. Please write seen again and direct as before from your True and affectionate Husband
George Kryder
To Elisabeth Lillie and Mary So Good Bye
Since writing the above the news is that we leave tomorrow morning at 7 o'clock. So Good bye.
