“K. F. Peddicord.”
“Officers’ Quarters, Division 27,
“Fort Delaware, Del., December 25, 1864.
“(A ring inclosed.)
“Dear Sister India:
“Your kind letter of the 18th came gliding into my sad and lonely quarters last evening, with a mild and gentle sympathy that steals away their sadness and loneliness ere I am aware. A retrospect of bygone brings to mind, this morning, many pleasing incidents which cause me for a time to forget my present situation. While musing o’er those happy days I can but sigh and say, ‘Would I were a boy again!’
“Could our friends have been silent spectators last evening they would doubtless have been surprised and much amused at our entertainment in this division. We cleaned up and dressed up early, and at 6 o’clock two sets of boys, in their best—to represent ‘ladies,’ hats off—or a nice smoking-cap on to designate them, were tripping lively steps to the music of two violins. After dancing, we had songs, and all wound up before ‘lights out’ (9 o’clock) with a rat supper. For if you must know, there are many here who eat them whenever they can get them, and that is frequently.
“While the ball was going on in this (Kentucky) division, prayer-meeting was on in the next. Thus it goes in life. I did not dance; there is no poetry to me in dancing with a man. I thought, while looking on, if the girls could see us, they would say, ‘Well, those boys have learned to live without us. They do their own washing, cooking, sewing and dancing.’
“I wrote to you on the 20th, in answer to yours containing ten dollars. I also wrote you the 23d, and enclosed a ring, which, if received,—and I have my doubts,—take an old toothbrush, soap and water, and clean it, then rub it with buckskin. I send in this the plain one, just finished; it will not quite go on my third finger. I thought that too large. If it doesn’t suit you, I’ll make another. A friend gave me the one I sent you on the 23d. It is beautiful, I think. Don’t you think so?
“Remember me to friends. Love to all. Write me often and longer. The weather looks charming to-day, but not like Christmas of old.