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In his December 1, 1864, letter to Sarah, Guy Taylor informed her that they had “got orders to build winter quarters.” He then went on to share details about their shelter’s location and construction. In various letters, he showed that he was very proud of their little dwelling—and especially fond of its fireplace. However, the arrival of the winter season did not completely bring an end to military operations. Taylor wrote about several moves, raids, and at least one significant battle fought; he also outlined his duties, which centered on his continued service to Dr. Woodward. In fact during the winter, his tasks of taking care of horses and cooking and his role as a medical attendant were expanded to serving as an orderly for the doctor as well as a temporary orderly for the colonel of the Thirty-Sixth Regiment. Then after the January 6 discharge of the chaplain of the Thirty-Sixth, Taylor actually shared the doctor’s tent. Through his close association with Dr. Woodward, he had daily contact with the oªcers of the regiment and soon became the checkers champion of the unit after winning a series of contests with the colonel, doctor, major, and several captains of the Thirty-Sixth. In this section of letters, Taylor continued his previous discussion concerning a soldier not knowing what to expect day to day. He described how he waited with anticipation for the oªcial end of the 1864 fall campaign. He placed even more emphasis upon the expectation of Union success once the spring o¤ensive of 1865 was underway. Taylor witnessed the plight of the Southern soldiers as more and more of them came over to the Union lines. It became evident to him that the Confederacy was near death and that the war would end after one or two more major fights. 159 c h a p t e r 6 Winter Quarters December 1, 1864, to March 23, 1865 Of particular interest in this section were Taylor’s letters during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. His New Year’s letter conveyed a humorous situation that he had experienced. His letter written on February 3 is also exceptional. The letters during this period were usually quite long, indicating that Taylor had more time to write during the winter season. As a result, he could further develop and express his thoughts concerning war and peace, duty, temperance, and the like. Through his reflections, readers of his letters continue to learn about Private Guy C. Taylor.  no. 29 December 1th 1864 My Dear Wife I take my pen in hand to write you and let you know that I am well and in hopes that you are injoying the same blesing. When I wrote to you last we was laying by the side of two foarts as a surport today we are somwheirs but I do not know onley they say it is on the exstream left at any rate it is som 10 miles left of our other plais. We have got orders to build winter quarters but it is doutfull wheather we stay hear all winter or not but I am in hopes that we will it is a vary pleasant plais and it is heavy timber all around ous. We are in an open field so it is free from any heavy wind and we can get timber to fix up with, and then it is not onley a little waies to a stream of water so it is vary handy for ous about the horses. It is now the first day of the winter month and it is so warm hear that a purson dos not want on any coat to keep warm with. We have not seen any snow yet and it has not froze any except to or three times. We have not seen any frost for more than two weeks and it looks now as though their was not much cold weather down hear. I got a letter from George the other day he says that he likes up north first rate and they are well and I got one from Amanda & one from Mart, the other day they (Mart) sent to me 5 dollars in money and 2 dollars worth of postage stamps and when he setles with you, you can deduct that out it will be 7 dollars in all. I wish that you wood send me som tea send ½ of a...

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