Pollard, Ala - Dec 24 1862

Dear Becky, Children and Family.

As Christmas is close by and times very dull in every respect, and not having anything to do today in way of drilling &c yes- and not having heard from Sweet old home Since Bro-C - was here and another opportunity offers to Send a letter home by hand, I avail my Self of the opportunity, - Well You need not expect much from me in way of news, For - news - we have none. More than we have orders to hold ourselves in readyness for marching But that is no Sign of marching, for we have had Such orders so often till I hardly feel any confidence in them whatever, My health is verry good, hope you all are the Same, I cannot account for getting no letter from you unless it is because you are expecting me home by this time. Well, Their is no use to look for me, as it is impossible for me to get a furlough, as any one els unless it is some one Sick - or Something to that amount. We have Masters- and whatever they Say- That we must do- Do the best you can Becky. And it will work out right, I wish I could get to see you at home, and make Some kind of arrangements for making a crop another year, I cannot tell you what to do, and can only Say do the best you can. I will Send you Some money again by Tom Jones- as he is the one that is going home on sick furlough, I am indebted to Mrs. Mary Mosly. Becky, Write to me whether you have had my young oxens broke to work or not If you have taken any care of our little Orchard or not. I hope you have, and will, If you have not done it, have the little peach trees that I got from Mr. Simanton Set out. They were on the right - as you go into the old garden Say- whether you have any land cleard and how much- If the Negroes try to make Support or if it would be best to hier out, I dont no what to do, This horrid war is ruining evry thin, and gets worse all the while I See no Signs of peace yet, But to the reverse I See evry prospect for it to go on Some time yet, God grant it may close soon- If you will write Becky I will try to write more lengthy, but when I get no letters I have nothing to write About So farewell Dear Becky and all The children, Kiss all the children for Par Tell Little George I will come Some Time

Do Write Dear Wife and

Remember you Old Man

J A Harris