Warrenton Oct 18 17^th

 

Dear Mother

            We have been fighting & skirmishing for the last week. the cavalry has done all the fighting nearly. I was in the fight at Brandy; it was the biggest fight of the war. that is, cavalry fight. I was anxious to know how I would feel. I felt a little curious untill the skirmishers were driven in, but when we war were ordered to draw sabres, I got so excited I did could scarcely contain myself I hurrahed & cheered. I came near being captured I & two or three more ran right into the Yanks & they ordered us to surrender we turned & / ran for it they at a distance of 30 feet they fired at us with their carbines & pistols but missed us. Bill Crane of my company was captured about 5 minutes after I left him. Whenever you hear of Lomax's brigade you may know that our Batallion is with it as it is belongs to it.

 

            Give my love to all the boys. I rec'd Gatchells letter. All the boys have come out safely except George Elder, who was wounded in arm doing well. Give my love to Father & family. A lady sends this for me.

                                                                       

Yours affect,

Raleigh

 

[overleaf]

 

Mrs John Hanson Thomas

M^t Vernon Place

Balto M^d

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