brier report
Evening silflay. Wind still howling sir
On the drifts but keeping clean as clean
Can be kept. What ice & matted fur
Form the least of worries: morale deep
Down consists in forward motion. Leap
To ’t! is our motto on the ridge.
Scouts report but little movement hide
Whisker twitch or tail of them by which
The enemy would be seen. Our pride
Stands in vigilance regardless. Try
As they might to make advantage of
Dark & snow to cross the field tonight
Time wd come when they wd have to shove
Past us sir: a task that they would find
Difficult to say the least. Your mind
May in confidence return as ours
Do in huddled moments underneath
Shallow makeshift burrows to warm hours
Passed in crowded company & think
Only of the warren — home — the deep
Sheltered place of which your welcome word
Reaches the department of the West.
signed captain j.j. abergine iii,
16th border company. p.s.
To you & yr family all my best