Bettes, William H. to Lodema

Writes from Chantilly Camp. Experiencing extreme winter weather, such as snow, but are surprisingly comfortable. Has no war news to report, there is more information in the papers. S. Z. Dickinson is still in the Regimental Hospital and very sick, he does not want to go to Washington if he can help it. Received a letter from Wellington yesterday; will send it with his letter so that mother will know how he is getting on. Applied for a pass to go down and see Wellington, but he failed to obtain one. Has written to Edgerton to have him go down and see Wellington. His wife has written two or three times to know if he has received his overcoat; it arrived in good condition. Also received two pairs of drawers the day before the cold weather commenced. Writes that he is alright because he was "born under a lucky star, which is much better than to have been born rich." There is a chance that he will not get paid before the end of January. If he runs out of money, he will need his wife to send him some; he has enough to last him until New Years. If S. Z. Dickinson does not get better, Bettes will give him some money if he needs it. Needs his wife to send him postage stamps since he is nearly out and has no chance to get more. They have had little duty to do during the cold weather but this morning they are sending out all the available men; Bettes has not yet been called on and nearly all the men have gone, so he will probably not be detailed. Wants his wife to send him the County paper because he misses it so much. Wrote some letters to the paper and wants to know if they have been published. The Colonel has gone to Columbus, Ohio. Thinks they will be kept in the field until New Years and then go into winter quarters. Expects to have more news to write next time. Writes that Eddy [Litedman] is here and has never looked better; camps life definitely agrees with him.