Harrisburg, Jan. 3, 1864.
My dear Clara,

I have been rather long answering your last letter, but I was only waiting to have something to write about. I only hope you have had as delightful holidays as we have spent. I never had such a splendid time as we had last week. Week before Christmas, we had skating every day, and one or two evenings we all helped to trim the Episcopal Church , and Christmas Eve Hattie Bird had a dance. On Christmas Evening, I had a card party, they could not dance, as Sadie was sick. On Saturday night Alice Frazor had a full dress party, we had a splendid time, we got home a little after twelve, we had to leave early as the next day was Sunday. On Tuesday night, Marry Kerr , Jennie Boas, and myself were invited to Ellie Russels, there is a Miss King from Pittsburg, a very pretty girl staying with them. On Wednesday, Thersa [sic] Wierman had a party, we all wore our high neck dresses. Sam Matlack took me, and Alek. Thompson [took] Mary Kerr. I enjoyed myself very much. We got home a little after twelve o'clock. On Thursday Bertie Ross had a large party to dance the Old Year out and the New one it. Alek. Thompson asked me to go and Ed Hickock [took] Mary Kerr. In the morning it commenced to snow, and in the afternoon it turned to rain, so you can imagine what kind of walking it would be. Alek. and Ed got a carriage and took us there. Was not that kind? One or two of the other boys took their girls in carriages too. We had a glorious time, I danced the Old Year out with Hum Berghous. We got home half past two o'clock. Russell King took Jennie Boas, John Gross and Hattie Bird. Orth & Son played for us. On Friday night the which was New Year's Evening, the boys gave a party at Halbach's we went in two omnibus', it was the coldest night we have had this winter but we were very warm riding. We were packed very tight. Mary and George went along with us to take care of Matlack. I never had such a splendid time. It was perfectly splendid. Will and Charlie Hiesler came home for it. We got home at half past two. The boys wanted her to stay longer but Mary would not let them. Last evening Maria McDowell had a party. Will Boas took me, George Gross [took] Jennie Boas, Alek. Thompson [took] Hattie Bird, and Sam Matlack came alone, that is al of our set that was there. Mrs. Kerr would not let Mary go and Sid was not able. We enjoyed ourselves very much. From Rachel Pollock.