Kelly, James R. (fl. 1861-1862) to Mary Kelly

4 January 1862, Romney, Virginia
My Dear Mary
Since I wrote you last we have had nice pleasant weather until last night. It turned cold and snowed. This morning has very much the appearance of Old Winter. Should it continue severely cold, some of the men must suffer especially those on picket guard. They are compelled to remain on duty 24 hours without fire & not even allowed to take the least exercise. I don't see how the poor fellows can stand it. It is bad enough here in this dirty old Town. We have to haul all our ? one mile & a half and then have to take green pine, which by the way, is the most miserable wood that can be found. Neither the Gen. or lot have come to Camp yet. They are expected everyday. The health among the troops is most excellent. I think there is a dozen sick men in our Regiment and but few in any of the Regiments. My own health is about as good as ever it was. I have a fine appetite & am not troubled with my old complaint. I am still boarding at the same house with the widows Pascal & Canfield. Not exactly widows either, both of their husbands are in the Secessionist Army while they are boarding our officers. This is considered a fine joke on their husbands. They don't seem to care much about it. Nothing can be more annoying in Cold Weather than to be compelled to sit and write in a room without fire, which is my uncomfortable situation today. Neither wood nor coal can be had today and we all have to do the best we can. It is thick, cloudy and snowing. George & Alex are both well. I am now inclined to think we will have to remain here until Spring. Nothing is more certain if the weather sets in cold & severe. Neither army then can do anything but lay still if it had continued mild & pleasant as it has been so far. It was believed by the officers here that it would not be long till a simultaneous movement was to be made from the Potomac about and below Washington and from this side tho I think it is all confictious of course I don't pretend to know anything about the plan of operations & must wait until they are fully developed. That little box has not come to light yet, tho, I don't think it can be lost. It must come to light sometime. I am now expecting a letter from you every mail. I hope you received the letter I wrote you from Cumberland on Christmas day. I have not found time to write you Since until today. I have just finished by muster rolls for the last two months, which was no light task, as I had to make a full & final settlement for all the clothing the men had drawn up to the 31st day of December and also to account for all the arms and accouterments all of which caused more work and trouble than I have had in making out the rolls heretofore. We have no tents yet, and I hope now that we will not get them until warm weather, for after all none of the tents are as warm and comfortable as a close, warm room. My Company are now all quartered in an old dilapidated secessionist house. It has five or six rooms and they cook, eat & sleep in them if they had sash and glass in the windows they would have very comfortable rooms. I am sure they are much more comfortable than if they were in tents. The time is now up for the men to be paid again and I am a little interested in this payment myself as I am out of money. I can't pay my board bill until I am paid, then I intend to send the balance to you. When we are paid I think Lieut. Slocum will get leave to come home and I can send some money to you by him. I think it would be as well not to use it until Spring. By that time you can see further & know better what to do. I don't think it safe to let the Old Cot have any more until Spring at least, by that time you will know what to do. Write me often. I must close. The room is cold. Love to all at home, especially you & Siss, J. R. Kelly