Dec 30th 1862 

My Dear Aunt,

I wrote to you only a few days ago but as it is raining this afternoon and I have a few leisure moments which I will spend in directing my thoughts toward Home.

I am feeling slightly indisposed just now on account of a large bile which is so bad that I have had to procure an Surgeon's certificate of disability, this alone excusing me from duty with the exception of this. We are in usual good health.

The weather which heretofore has been so mild ,so clear, and beautiful and the skies which have been so cloudless are now darkened and there is every appearance of our being visited by a long wet and perhaps cold season which will be very unpleasant and unfavorable for us and the plans and movements which doubtless our leaders have in contemplation.

Tomorrow is the last day of this year and as my mind wanders back over the past the scenes of many happy moments are fresh in my memory. God grant that with the coming New Year our cause may flourish in its justness and wisdom may be given to our leaders that they may devise ways to overcome every obstacle to our "Onward" march and complete victory.

There is some talk of our moving from here soon. The report is that a portion of the Army is to embark for the Peninsula again to begin operations there while the remainder is to remain around the defences of Washington to prevent the enemy making a movement in our rear. I think that as our Regiment is small, the latter will be the place of our destination. We were once large but many a hard fought battle deprives us of that name now and I think that our organization cannot exist another year.

I must now close sending much love to all and many wishes for your happiness in the coming New Year. I remain, my Dear Aunt, in great haste,

Truly yours 

A. C. Woods