Written by William Wallace Smith to his brother Asa Smith. References receiving Smith's letter. Says he spent Thanksgiving "running round among the other camps and at dusk we got up a dress parade among the boys with a dirty torn shirt for colors and in the evening we had a dance on the parade ground. Reports that there was much excitement when drums start beating all over camp, but it was only to get them to get 40 rounds and be prepared to lave a moment's notice. Says there was much action around camp, but that they were not called out until 9 p.m. Mentions other units that went into a fight and says his company lost their first man. Says he has not been sent on picket since arriving in Virginia, and has only been sent to guard a building. Says they might move soon as they were recently given new shoes. Would not be surprised if they were sent to Fortress Monroe and sent to South Carolina where he has heard there are problems. Letter has an embossed image of General George McClellan on the first page. Around the image are the embossed words: "Gen. McClellan His Country's Hope." Written at Camp Holmes.