Game Point, Va, Jan 1, 1862
Mr. AJ Proffit
Dear Brother,
These lines will inform you that yours of the 23 December was gladly received on yesterday morning, and I hasten to reply. I had been expecting to have received letters from you or some of my friends on Lewis Fork for two or three weeks but as I did not receive any I wrote A.N. a few days ago which I hope he will get. I am unable to interest you on the War question, as there is but little news in this part ofVirginia. We seldom get an opportunity of firing upon the Yankee steamers, but when one approaches within 3 or 4 miles of our Battery we are shure to give them a sign by which they may know that we are yet a living and wide awake.
I would have been glad to have taken Christmas wish for you, but as some 12 or 15 of the company had gone home on sick furlough, I made no application for a furlough, but thought I would content myself until those who were absent returned. The manner in which we spent the Christmas holidays, compared with former ones, presented a contrast that is more easily imagined than described but we spent the day or at least a portion of it quite agreeably, particularly while seated at the dinner table partaking of an excellent Chicken Pie, etc, etc, which had been prepared by mess no. 5.
On yesterday morning, one of my messmates and I took a small row boat and went up Aquia Creek about four miles, where we called at a private house and took dinner and bought some articles for the mess and returned to camp a little before night. I tell you we enjoyed our trip very much, as we have not, until lately, been allowed such privileges, since we have been station at this point. I would have been glad if you could have been there to have taken a New Years dinner with us, as we dined upon a fatTurkeywell baked and other delicaces, but I would advise you to stay on Lews Fork, at least until spring.
I was glad to hear that thoseEast Tennesseeanswere being compelled to walk up to the chalk. The only thing to be regretted concerning those traitors is that they had not been hanged long since. Tell mother that I received her letter long since and answered it immediately after its arrival.
I will soon close for the present by informing you that I am quite well at present, hoping these lines will find you all well. Please give my compliments to all inquiring friends. T.C.Landand TC Miller say they would have written you long since, had they rec’d answers to the ones they sent you. They say they are not sent you a letter as you supposed.
I remain
W.H. Proffit
Sources: Christopher Watford, ed. The Civil War in North Carolina: Soldiers’ and Civilians’ Letters and Diaries, 1861-1865, Volume 2. (Jefferson,North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., 2003). Original in the Proffit Family Papers, Southern Historical Collection,University ofNorth Carolina atChapel Hill.
