On a march, Culpepper Co. Va.

June 8^th, 1863.

 

Dear father,                                                                                                   

                        I will now write you a few lines, as we have put up for to day. I received your kind letter June 1^st 1863 where Mr Rosenberger brought for me, and was glad to hear from you, as it had been so long since I heard from you. I also received my shose. My boots I had to throw away as we got on a march I will now tell you a little about our march. We left camp Paxton June 5^th, and started in the direction of Spotsylvania court house. Friday night The first night, which was Friday night we stayed all night about six miles above Spotsylvania Court hous. On sturday morning we commenced our march by daylight, and marched about one mile, and then got orders to march back to where we stayed all night to wait for further orders. About two oclock we got orders to march, and then we commenced [cut away]

 

a line of march again, and marched the balanc of the day. It rained very hard that evening for awhile, you may depend. We marched a little while in the night that night, and then camped seven miles from the plank road that night. On Sunday we commenced our line of march again, and marched on to towards the Fredericksburg plank road. we come in to the plank road about 10 mils below Orange court house. we then marched up the plank road a few miles, and turned off of the plank road to the right, and marched in the direction of Culpepper court house. we waded the Rappidan river that same day. We camped on Sunday night ten miles from Culpepper court house. On Monday, which is to day we commenced our march again. we marched through Culpepper court house to day. When we got to Culpepper court house we takened the Sperriville road which leads to Sperriville [cut away]

 

We are now put up for to night about three miles this side Culpepper court house. I do not know whether we will marched tomorrow or not I rather exspect we will. Some of the boys thinks we will crossed the blue ridge, and go down the valley but I dont think we will cross the ridge. I think we will go down on this side of the mountain. I am afraid we will have a nother manassa scrape, but I only hope we will whip the yankys, and run them out of Virginia I would like to come through Page, so I could go home one day and night. Culpepper court house is a right pretty place It is reported we taken killed &prisoners forty thousand pair yankys at Vicksburg (Miss). We were all glad to see the blue ridge again once more. The cherries are begining to get ripe on this side of the ridge. There will be right smart fruit on this side of the ridge [cut away]

 

There are a good many troops around Culpeper court house now. I am sorry to hear that the fruit has failed in Page this year. I must now bring my few lines to a close. This leaves me well, and hope these few lines will find you all well and in good courage.

 

I remain your son

Ambrose M. Hite.

 

Direct your letter in this manner

            Ambrose M Hite                                          

            Co H 33^rd reg^t Va Inft                                     

Jhonson division                                                         

            Stone wall Brig                                               

 

 If you direct your letter in that way, it will come to us where ever we are. Write soon and I will do the same. So no more at present [cut away]

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