Calvin Shedd letter to family, December 5, 1862

              Dec 5th 

We are feeling elated as a Steamer has just hove in sight I trust with a mail I have not got on Duty yet, but am much better & am calculating to be off the sick list tomorrow or next day at farthest I should be pretty well if my Bowels & liver would do their duty. I am extremely positive, but I hate to take Physic. The Boys made a Grand Hurrah when the Steamer was reported, I wish you could see with what eagerness they watch for a Mail & how happy they are in getting letters; if their Friends could see them once I am sure they would not grudge the time & labor but would write oftener. there is nothing new here to disturb the usual routine of Garrison Life; most every day discharged or deserting Rebels come in & take the Oath. They look bad Dirty with poor & ragged Clothes. Our men I think would mutiny if they were as badly off as the Rebels they are armed with old muskets or shot