Camp near Bealton Station Va.

November 12^th 1863.

 

Dear Relatives,

                        Tonight is the first good chance that I have had to write for quite a number of days and I have now on hand, a letter from Sant, one from Mollie, and one from Father & Mother and I shall endeavor to write this letter to all of you. So when you get this, just consider that each of you got a letter, and each of you write again. I suppose that Ravencroft has arrived at home ere this, if he has of course you have seen him and he could tell you all about me &c.

 

But since he left here we have had a pretty hard time. We marched from Bristoe Station to the Rappahannock River, crossed at Kelly's Ford, went as far as Brandy Station, remained there one night, and was then (the 1^st Div. 1^st Corps) ordered to come back and guard the rail road. We then had to march back, crossed the river at Rappahannock Station, / and our Regiment is now guarding the rail road from near Bealton Station to near the Rappahannock River. Each Company being camped by themselves on each side of the rail road. Company K is the first Company on the right and Company I the first on the left as you come this way from Washington. How long we will get to stay here, I cannot tell, possibly all winter, and probably not long. But at any rate we are fixing up just as though we would winter here. Five of us in Company I have built us a little log house, and built us a rock chimney, and we could manage to winter here very well. If Father intends to come out here, I think he might as well come now as any time. I see nothing to prevent him from coming. We are now near the rail road and he could easily find us. The rail road from Bealton Station to the river is yet not repaired but quite / a number of troops are at work on it and before many days the rail road will be in running order to the river. Our camp is about a half a mile from Bealton Station. We are having a very easy time just now, but I fear it will be for a short time.

 

Henry says to tell you that he is on guard tonight.

 

The weather is very good, we have not had any rain for a long time, and no snow at all. Day before yesterday we could see plenty of snow on the top of the mountains, but there was none fell where we were. I would like to go to that school at Clermont, if it goes off, but I do'nt believe I could content myself going to school, until this war is over. But I hope and believe that this war will soon close. Since we have been here we have found quite a number of rebel letters, and they all speak very discouragingly of their prospects at home. Some do not know how they will make out this winter. 

 

Mollie wanted me to write her a great long letter. She will have to excuse me this time. There are now no sutlers allowed in the Army, and we cannot get paper, envelops & stamps &c. But I presume that we can soon get these things, as soon as the rail road is finished. I wish Father would send me a few stamps every once in a while.

 

            I must soon close. I shall look for a letter from Mollie, Sant, Bob & all of you soon.

 

Very Respectfully

            Your Obt Servt

                        W. H. Speer

SOURCES