Camp Hancock Jan 17^th 1863

Dear Sarah I have just returned to Camp of Picket gard on the banks of the rappahanick just below Fredricksburgh whare I sean a great many rebels across the river garding two Dear Mussy on my return to camp to day I received your kind letter enclosing 3 postage stamps and informing me that you and all the rest ware well which I was glad to here dear Musy I am sory to inform you that we are on the eave of a hard battel at Fredricksburg again on/yesterday the army of the potmick received orders to cook three days rashions and to march to battel at six oclock this morning during the nite this order was remanded with orders to hold ourselves to be redy to march at six oclock on Monday if not counter manded again if this battle is faut thy are no doubt but I will be in it and if god spairs my life I will write to you as scoon as I can Dear Musy I have to stop writing for want of time to say any more my health is good at this time hoping these lines will find yourself/Oliver Mary and famly engoying the same blessing give my love to all enquiring friends my love to you and all the rest I remain Dear Musse your affectinate Husband I send you and Mary fifty kises when you write to me direct as you have done and if I am not here it will be sent to me good by my dear wife for the present I remain yours

            WRodgers  to

Sarah Rodgers

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