Headquarters Jan 12th [1862] 
Dear Sister: 
 As I am on guard tonight at headquarters, and have plenty of Confederate stationary at my disposal and feel like writing I will indite a few lines to your most respected personage.   
 I have just been listening to some of the most delightful music I ever heard.  The band of the StoneWall is out serenading tonight and came around and gave us a call.  They played The Mocking Bird, Annie Laurie &c. &c., it was truly a treat to hear them, exactly twelve o'clock on one of the most beautiful nights.  It really seemed that the moon had clothed itself in new garments and was endeavoring to rival in brightness its older brother the sun.  Truly music has charms to sooth the savage breast. &c &c 
 We received a telgraphic dispatch here today which gave an account of another glorious Confederate victory by the unflinching Price, the hero of the war for Southern Independence.   
 
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The victory came just in time as everyone was despondant owing to our late defeat of our arms on Rhonake Island, that was indeed a misfortune, though I believe it has helped along greatly the cause for I think we needed a warning for we were fast sliding into a lethargy from which we have been aroused to new vigor and energy. 
 The band has again struck up farther in the city.  We are situated on a high hill which overlooks the whole town and can hear and see everything plainly.  Everything is as quiet as can be, Ah, no Mary Blair Jacksons brat has opened and is in full cry, not as sweet music as the band but quite as enlivening. 
 I am getting acquainted fast, have been invited to two new places, the aristocrats of the town, but I will wait until I get my dikes before I call on them.   
 I have just read the new bill passed by the Legislature so the L.H.V. will have to come back into service.  I would not care a fig if they would let me have a horse.  The companies will be filled up with Melish shortly by a draft, I suppose, as Rockbridge counted our company in her  
 
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quota of troops, it will be filled up by a draft on the County.  Some hoped as the company was not from any county in particular the bill would not include us, but I believe that Rockbridge counted us in her quota.   
 The object of the company was to reform as cavalry company and come out but the Legislature has decided that she would rather have them as infantry "so mote it be", I aint caring a cent, I reckon one place is as good to fight in as another, and I suppose all of us will have to fight before the thing is over, 
Good bye 
Ted