William O. Holmes to Father, December 8, 1864

[page 9] Signal Station Newtown, Va Dec 8th 1864

Dear Father,

I have just Rec’d your letter of the 1st. Was verry glad to hear from you. I do not exactly know what to say to your propositions about the place. You know that I belong to the Regular Army and if the Athority’s choose I can be held untill the end of my three years War or no war. And I would rather if you have an oportunity and wish to sell, that you would let the girls have my share, as they will need it and I am able to knock my way through any whare, By the time my term of Service expires I hope to have the nest egg if remane a private. I was examined for promotion last Tuesday, if I get a 1st class privacy which is all I expect, I will have twenty dollars per month, if I should happen to get a Sergants Warrant before my time is out my pay would be forty dollars per month. Another thing is that I think after this war is over there will be an oportunity to get some of the finest farmers

[page 10] on the Sacred soil of Va that ever lay out doors, at verry reasonable rates.

I think my self that the Falls is not the place for our girls, and if that part of the property which you have intended for me will give them better opportunities any place else I would rather they would have it.

There is no news with us. I hope to get a forlow some time. The Capt. we have now is a Splendid Officer, and just the man we needed.

He sais that Gen. Sheridan will do any thing for the Corps and the men of the Corps must do there duety. We do not look like the same set of men that we did when he took command. But I have not time to write more.

Your son, W.O. Holmes