Camp near Kellys Ford Va

Nov 25^th 1863

 

Dear Father

                        I received your welcome letter last evening. I was very glad to hear from you. I feel so sorry for Elsie. she must feel very badly Your letter was the first I heard of Capt Maynards death. I did not think he was engaged in the action or I would have made more inquiries about him.

 

I will go to see Lt Young as soon as I can. His Reg't is about 6 or 7 miles from here and I cannot be away from the Reg't long enough to go there at present. We are expecting to move every day. We did attempt it yesterday but after going about five miles through rain and mud we had to come back to our camp again. It is most likely that we will move just as soon as the weather will permit. There is not much signs of it clearing / up now. It has been raining some this evening and I think we will have snow before long morning. I dont think it worth while to try to do anything this fall, for the soil in this country is such that a very little rain makes the roads almost impassable.

 

            I think it was very well for Elsie to go to Milwaukee, the trip will do her good. I wrote to her a short time ago and enclosed a letter for you. You say nothing about receiving it. I mentioned that H. Hays had been unable to get his pay and requested you to let his wife have $20.00. I am afraid that you did not receive the letter but if you have not done so please let her have that amount. I have no doubt but she needs it.

 

            I received a letter from Jim Reinbow a few days ago. He is well, is still at Fort Craig. He is getting tierd of frontier life and would like to get back to the states. I have not time to write more to night. I write merely to let you know I am well I will write again in a few days. My love to Mother & the Children

                                                           

Your Affec't Son

JSWinans

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