D. H. Blair, Company D, 45th Ohio Volunteers, 2nd Brig, 1st Div.

Dec 25th 1862

Camp Ella Bishop, Lexington, Kentucky

Dear Brother

A merry Christmas to you,

Your kind letter of the 20th was received this evening and read with interest. I was glad to hear from you and also to get thos stamps.

I am still in good health and so is all that you know here.

The most of the boys in reg't that have not had measeles have taken them but I guess they are as "fraid" of me as I was of them. One boy of our mess by the name of A. Simmons took them Monday night on guard and it raining but he happened to near the hospital and they just took him in. There was several spies found in old morgans house in town here on last sabbath evening and it was reported to the officer of the day about 9 o'clock and by eleven the 18 Michigan reg't was standing guard around the whole town with orders not to alow any persons whatever to leave and the chaps taken care of and about 1 o'clock the comisary in town was set on fire and immense amount of provision and forage destroyed. I just wish it had burnt the whole town when it had gone that far.

I guess they thought that Morgan had come for his christmas dinner as he had said but I guess he was not there. We stood guard around the town till tuesday noon and then were all taken of and let what they had not found escape. Luther there is but little chance for any one to get a furlough and I dont expect to get home till the war is over. which will likely be a good while yet unless I get command. There was one from each company went home to recruit and Jas Pollack had the most important position in the regiment of any one from about there. He was sargeant major when he left that is next to a Lieut.

Luther you must write often and get so you can write a good letter. yes and Libbie too for I generally let Newt read them. and he lets me read his But write all you can and if there is anything that shouldent know I can keep it. Well, I must close.

Wishing you all a happy New Years and success in my absence generally

I remain

Yours truly

D H Blair