Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2011, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================== From William Howes to his wife, Lizzie ========================================================================== Savannah Ga Dec 25th 1864 Dear Lizzie I wish you one & all a Merry Christmas I Received a letter from you last friday evening dated Nove 7th was glad to hear from you all once More I also received one from Almon Walda at the Same time and you tell him that I am much Obliged to him for Writing to me and that I will answer it as soon as George P has seen the letter I have not had time to see G Since I got the letters we are Camped about a mile from the regt in town and have been very busy getting lumber for Quarters I Shall Commence bualding a Shanty tomorrow Morning we drawed two thousand feet of boards for that purpose yesterday My health is good and I hope you have got over the mumps by this time [page 2] We entered this City the Morning of the 21st I Supose you would like to know what kind of a place this is it is a very pretty place there is some very nice buildings here it is about as large as Lowell but it is Crowded with Citizens that live here and from other parts of the State. We are Camped close to a niggar Church and they have been goning it ever since day light this Morning they are Singing as loud as they can now I looked in on them this Morning they was Singing & Shanting Shaking hands with each other Said they could Worship god as they pleased now they feel mighty good over it I think I shall go in there this evening if I can get away I have no news to write you will proably get the details of the Capture of the City before you get this they have started a newspaper since we came here called the Savannah Loyal Georgian the first issue came out [page 3] yesterday they print it in the Morning News press that used to be printed here before we took the City it is editted by one of the 20th Corps Well I have written about all that I can think of this time Silas was over to See me this Morning he is well his division is camped on the other Side of town I am going to See him after I get my house done I will close for this time as I have go to See to feeding the horses give my love to Father & Mother the girls and all the rest tell George & Ida to be good Children that it wont be long before I shall be at home if nothing happens My regards to Almon tell him I will write him as Soon as I get My house built and things Straitend up So I will close by Wishing you all again a Merry Christmas and hope the next one I will Spend with you I am yours as ever G.P is well William Co ** 33d Regt Mass Vol 3 Bdg 3 Div 20th A C ==========================================================================