Camp Kamara
7th January 1856
Dear Father & Mother
I am happy to Say that I received your welcome letter dated 2nd December (55, and was very happy to hear all was well. but Sorry to hear of Fathers feet being so bad and sincerely hope they are better by this time. I received the letter & etc you spoke of with the Stamps and I must tell you that altogether from my wife Mother Brothers and Sisters & friends who write to me I have received Stamps enough to do me for months. I received a letter from bob. you must be good enough to write to him, and say I will write the first ooportunity. tell him I have plenty of Stamnps and I dont wish him to Stile himself "unkind Brother" when he write to me again because it looks so Childish, and I dont like it. I love all my brothers and Sisters and it hurtd me to hear one of them Stile himself unkind. I never thought bob was unkind but I Knew he wanted a resolution to write, he as at last written and I am Satisfield only I should like him to write often it would be a good thing for him and learn him to correspond. I was glad to hear you spoke of Susan because I cannot hear from her only from you. give my love to her and tell her I think she must be happy with her little pratling, I would like to have a glimpse of my little darling with the Nother but no Change for an old warrior yet. we must whether a few more storms yet I doubt we have a tight job before us as soon as spring sets in. to all appearance it will be worse than any battle we have fought yet. the enimies position is so strong but have it we must, and will. I have no war news this time from the Crimea we are now uo to the Knees in Snow with Sharp frost but thank God we are comfortable as we can expect to be give my love to Ann, tell her I am too much employed but I will write if possible soon. tell Georgina the Same and that I received her letter. Give my love to Charles and Wife & etc and George and the little ones at home.
I expect you will soon have John and William Home, I dreamt I saw them a few nights back, but we was all at Home, I hope they will not have to come oujt here but I am afraid they will. I would sooner not see them at all than see them out here to undergo the dangers &b etc Chances of war. One in a family is plenty for this work altho I must say I have been veryt fortunate so far and thank Almighty God for it and if ever I live to get home I only hope I shall prove myself worthy the great Mercies that has been bestowed upon me My dear Wife desired her have to you the little one begins to blow up the postman when he dont bring a letter
I must now conclude with my love to all
hoping you had a Merry Christmas and a happy new Year
I remain you ever Affectionate Son
Tom
Give me respects to Edwards and all the neibours