Cumberland Gap Sept 26

 

friend libby

I am on picket at this morning which affords me ample time to write a few lines to you whitch I think will gratify you to hear from a old aquaintance this being the first time for me of ever writing to you and hoping that these few lines will find you enjoying the very best of health as they leave me at present you may think strange of this letter from me libby but I do not for many reason it is a relieve to a soldier to receive a few kind words from a friend at home the soldiers are of one mind through the whole army 

 

libby I have no news to tell you except that we think we shall remain here for the winter we have had no orders to build our winter quarters I hope we will remain here for we like this Gap very well for there is plenty of good water there is two company of us incamped about one mile from the Gap and two company that are encamped in the Gap the reg is quartered in and out of the Gap and 86 reg is placed on top of the mountain for artillerymen on the top of this mountain is one of the most beautiful scenery that I ever seen you see from the of this mountain about one hundred miles off thight is about 1½ mile to from the level of ground there is 8 forts on this mountain and about 2 miles of entrenchments and a greate many rifle pits 

 

libby this place being a very strong position the rebs could kill ten men to our one if they would give us battle for they had a good and a strong position to fight libby I wish that I had a larger sheet of paper I would give you full details of this gap as it is I must close my letter hopping to hear from you soon and blieve me to be true to the cause that I represent please answer soon and oblige

 

Richard Williams

Cumberland Gap

129 reg co I

care Capt Wheeler

 

P.S. please send the news of the city give my respects to the enquiring friends /

 

P. S. our Captain is sick goes to the hosptial this morning I attended funeral yesteryday at 4 Oclock before my tent our camp is in a soldiers graveyard we have had 3 deaths from our company there is two graveyards here one on this side of the gap and the other on the other side of the gap about 1 mile apart the general health of the company is very good my mess are well we are four in number

 

remember me to mag and billy

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