No 17th  

		      Lee Barracks
	                January 1st, 1863

   Dear Brother Nell,
		    Your most
truly welcome letter was duly received
the night before last, but having
no opportunity of answering it
before and so improve this
opportunity.
        I find myself well, and
again on guard, (I beleive 
the last time I wrote you I
was on guard) and think it
rather “tuff” not simply be
cause it is New Years, but
because I am put on rather
foolishly. Our Sergt. Major
a perfect darned fool never makes
out his details until after
the Guard is mounted, and

    then the Col. makes them
out for him, consequently
about two O'clock this P.M.
I received orders to report
myself as Sergt. of the Guard,
and as it would not be soldier
ly to refuse, I had to obey, al
though I awfully hated
to.
      Every thing in camp jogs
along at a rapid rate, with
			        its
the exception of getting recru^.
Horses are coming in each
day in droves of from twenty
to one hundred each time.
     Co. A. now has one hundred
horses to take care of, and has
about sixty men. Now tak
ing out of this number five
sick, eight on guard, eight
off duty, five or six on car
penter duty, and as many

    more cooking and too lazy
to work and you can guess
what the rest have to do.
Five new recruits from 
Berrien Co. came in last
week for our company
and four more from
Cass Co. came in to day.
Two new companies came
in last week, and were fur
loughed out directly.
       It is expected that they
and other new ones will
be in next week.  We have
barracks nearly ready for
twelve hundred men and
if there is anything I would 
like to see it would be to
see them full. We worked
all them forenoon watering
and feeding horses, and nearly
	   after
all the forenoon.

   Well “a happy New Years”
to you how have you enjoyed
yourself to day. I can tell
you how I have. One word
explains it “Bully”
      Last night while the
companies were at supper
Col. Mann came to the eating
houses and told us that as
it was New Years Eve that we
should having the evening
all to ourselves to use and
enjoy it as we saw fit. Those
who wished to night go in 
squads with a corporal or
Sergt. and pass, while 
others might enjoy themselves
here. The Sutler was permit
ted to keep open his shop
and every thing was free
until one O'clock

No 17th
	You may beleive the
boys “went in” During
the forepart of the evening I 
heard squads of men march
ing over the camp, cheering
and shouting but did not
know the reason. But about
nine O'clock while enjoying
a quiet game of Euchre with
my friend Richardson when
we were waited upon by a 
a detachment under charge
of Sergt. Wm. H O Brien and
Richardson after quite a skir
mish was marched away.
I did'nt follow, but patiently
awaited his return. Presently
I heard them coming again
and then they requested me
to come with them

No 17th
	You may beleive the
boys “went in” During
the forepart of the evening I 
heard squads of men march
ing over the camp, cheering
and shouting but did not
know the reason. But about
nine O'clock while enjoying
a quiet game of Euchre with
my friend Richardson when
we were waited upon by a 
a detachment under charge
of Sergt. Wm. H O Brien and
Richardson after quite a skir
mish was marched away.
I did'nt follow, but patiently
awaited his return. Presently
I heard them coming again
and then they requested me
to come with them

   one gun for each State in
our Union, [??]
  To day has been a clear, cold
but pleasant day and every thing
to me contrasts strongly with
the last “New Years” that I
spent many miles from
here. There was nothing
in camp to distinguish it
from any other day. I received
an invitation to dinner at
a private house but was 
obliged to decline. This eve
ning we had Oysters and
Chickens for Supper with
butter and other ‘Et ceteras”
making quite an acceptable
meal. It was furnished 
by Lieutenant Briggs.
    Three cheers for him.
  They were given with a 
will too.

   The weather for a week or
two past has been clear and mild
but now there is a change com
ing It is blowing and try
to rain and I think winter
will soon set in.
      I want to know the reason
George Lee does not write.
   He need not be afraid
that I will be home before
it will reach me.
  Tell Mother I shall be very
thankful for those gloves
as they will be very acceptable.
  Write soon and have
Father, Mother, and everyone
else do the same.
      My best wishes and respects
to all the friends.
         Your Brother
		Edwin R Havens


Direct as before

[Written vertically in margin: “I am very thankful for those stamps”]