Camp Near Snickers Neck VA     (Correct location still believed to be
Monday Jan 19, 1863                    Skinker’s Neck)

Dear Wife,
I this morning take my pen in hand to write you a few line which leaves me well with the exception of deafness. I have been deaf so long that I fear that I will never get any better. I have nothing new or strange to write you at present. We are building winter quarters now.  We are camped about 40 miles below Fredricksburg on the Rappahannock River. We work on our houses part of the day and drill the balance. We have no time to play, We drill at ten o'clock in battalion drill at three company drill at five dress parade. Our regiment is now gone out on picket. They will be gone two days. The colonel excused me from all guard duty for two weeks for having my gun in the best order of any of our company at the last inspection of arms. We have an inspection every Sunday morning. We have to send out details every other day to work on the breast works and rifle pits. Some think there will be a battle here before long but I do not think the Yankees will cross the river. If they do we will give them fits. The health of the regiment is good at the present time . The settlement boys are all well.

Stanman H. Carlisle is here. He brought a substitute but the colonel would not receive him on account of his age and he is going back home to get another. I will send you fifty dollars by him. I want you to send me one pair of pants & drawers and one pair shoes & socks and one pair gloves and a cap to wear on my head by Isham Gilbert or some one else that is passing. I had to throw away some of my clothes and my satchel when we was on the march but I have got enough to do me till you can send me some more. James Crowder says tell his mother that he is well and getting along finely. Eb Coggins is well and I think we will elect him for second Lieutenant for the boys all likes him so well that they will all vote for him if he will run. Thomas D. Berry is going to run for first Lieutenant and I do not know who will offer for third. There is only 14 of our company here now. Joe Burton makes the best kind of a captain he is far ahead of any of our old officers that have resigned. The boys all think very light of them for leaving us, as they say with the bag to hold. I will close for the present. Give my respects to all so farewell.

Yours
CPC McKnight

Martha M. McKnight
Louisa C. Bentley