William O. Holmes to Sister, October 16, 1864

[page 5] Gen Sheridan Hed Quarters Cedre Creek Oct. 16, 1864

Sister Carey

I rec’d letters from you, Sarah and Father four days ago. But it has been so confounded cold, I dreaded to answer them. The Calinder in my Diary says it is Sunday to day. And I do not know as I can improve it better than by writing I have not kept it verry well so far. This morning we were ordered to be up at 4 A M and be ready to move at day light. A thing which is frequently done when there is any probability of an atact. But it was some time before we found out wheather we would

[page 6] move or not. Then we had to put up our tents again. Then we had to draw rations. After that I went to the Creek to water my horse and as there was quite a number there washing shirts & so I forgot it was Sunday. Got off washed my feet and stockings. I never intend to do such little jobs on Sunday but as there is so little diference between it and any other day here, it is very hard to “Remember the Sabath day and keep it Holey”. By the time I got back it was dinner time then after dinner as my horse is on short rations now, I went out to the Picket line and got some cornbutts for him. So that you now have the programs of my Sunday. Which to tell the truth is

[page 7] I am sorry to say is verry much like them all.

Things look verry much like a fight, there is quite an amount of Artilery moving around on the right. The Generals have just come in from a Reconiance. Scouts come dashing in, and there seems to be considerable stir in all directions. Still there may not be any fight some days but I think there will be a hard one here before long. They scared up a pretty nasty little fuss the other day by trying to astablish a signal station on Powels Peak. Our boys got in a might hot place. If our Liut had not been sick we would have been in the fuss. As we were on the peak the first time Gen Sheridan

[page 8] was down here. I wrote a discription of the time we had to Leave and I presume that you have heard it, But by George it was a tighter [illegible] than I ever want to get into again. It does a fellor good to tell of these adventures after they are over. But I do not believe there is any man who feels comfortable at the time when they occur.

I am glad to hear that you are enjoying good health, and hope that you are injoying yourself at Mr. Darshiners Remember me to them. I hope Emanuel has not been drafted this time. Tell Mrs. Darshiner I should like to call around this evening and help out one of her good suppers, as my apatite is not verry sharp for Hard tack and pork tonight I eat to much dinner I expect.

Your Soldier Brother Will