Charles Roberts to Maggie Roberts (1 January 1865)

              In Camp near Aberdeen, Miss.
Jany 1st 1865"
My own darling wife,
Another year is past and gone; commenced
and closed in war and bloodshed and its natural accompanyments
of ruin and desolation to many a happy hearth - We have had
much to mourn and yet very much to be thankful for; you
have lost a much loved parent and myself a warm friend,
we lost some little property and being obliged, for a while, to abandon
our quiet little house, but thank a Kind Providence, our lives have
been spared and our children have been blessed with health and 
the war is one year nearer its close - Before another year has
passed over I hope this terrible struggle will be ended and 
surrounded by those that are very dear to me I shall be
pleasantly employed in making Something for their comfort and
support
Since I last wrote you which was about a week ago
we have been disturbed from our comfortable camps and being
on the march - The Yankee raid which came out from Memphis,
struck the Mobile and Ohio RR at Verona (two stations above
Okolona) and moved down the road, destroying the track as
they went, as far as Prairie Station, which is eight miles from
Aberdeen. When they approached the latter place we moved 
our train to a safe distance fearing they may hear of our whereabouts
and make us a visit. The trip was anything but pleasant to
me, for I am troubled with numerous blood boils which made
it purgatory to ride - We got back here yesterday and if I can help
it I shall not move out of camps until I am well rid of these
troublesome customers, which I hope will not be long, for I 
am very anxious to get to the front, the very first opportunity."
Where [Hood’s] army is at present, I cannot say. The army met
with disaster in Tenn. and when last heard from was at the
Tennessee river and the enemy was endeavoring to prevent