1862-12-28 letter from James Thitchener to his aunt

James writes about how lucky he is to be alive after returning from battle. He refers to it as it the worst sight he’d ever seen and comments on the women and children who had to run to save their lives. He remarks, “I think this war is not right, it is too bad to try to drive the poor rebels from their home and destroy their things”. He mentions the Battle of Fredericksburg, where the Union army was “wiped” out. Typhoid fever is taking effect on his regiment with two men dying every day. The soldiers are sleeping on damp cold ground and are hoping to move to a fort. He mentions the box his family sent and what a good Christmas dinner it made. He would trade it all for his “little Cate”. He closes with his regards to a friend, requesting him to write and asks for information on “olde Ulster”.