Hd Qrs. Lees Cavalry Brigade

Occupacia V^a Jany 31^st 1863

 

Dear Piggie

                        Your highly appreciated letter bearing date of the 24^th came to hand last night. I am glad to know that you are all well. I am not verry well just now haveing been suffering a severe cold and cough for the last week but I am in hopes I shall soon get over it. Brother William & the boys are all well and sends their love to you all. I wrote you a few days since and wrote you that I thought we would moove soon to King & Queen County but the order has been countermanded and I dont know now when we will moove as they are expecting a fight at Fredericksburg as soon as the roads gets so that artilery can be mooved and we will not moove until it comes off. You wrote that you called to see Cousin Bob Chappin when you went with Miss Emma to the Depot and found him verry low. I saw Sam^l Birdsong this morning and he told me that he died last Monday eavening at One O'clock. I am verry sorry for his family I know it has brought great distress upon them I am in hopes Brother Ned will pay us that visit soon I would be delighted to see him, but I had much rather see him at home and everything was quiet once more. I am glad to know that Mr Dillard thinks we will be recognized by France & England soon I shall certainly look out for it as I am sure he must have some strong ground to go on if he thinks so. You spoke of the winter haveing been verry mild down in Surry so it has with us the greater part but we have had a few verry bad spells and suffered a good deal as long as they lasted but we ought to be / verry thankful that we have come off so well. we have had three snows and a few rainy spells but out side of that the weather has been remarkable pleasant. You said that Lieut Clements said we were getting plenty to eat and so we are but have to buy it ourselves. the Government does not furnish us with but a quarter of a pound of pork a day now and you may know how we would get along with that if we were so we could not buy anything. I have thought all along until now that we could not be starved out but since they have reduced our rashons so lately I am beginning to think verry differently though I am in hopes I am mistaken. It may be on account of such a large armys being up here and cannot get transportation. I shall send this by Mr Davis he has gotten a discharge on account of his health and will start home this eavening. I wrote you in my last letter that we had the Small Pox in our Regt. no new cases have broken out since and I am in hopes we will soon be clear of it. I am verry glad that Cousin Tommie is going to Union Hall to live as he will make a good neighbour. I wish you all could have a good neighbourhood You must give my kind regards to Cousin Tommie & Lady when you see them. I must now close as Mr Davis is waiting for my letter. My best love to you all. write soon to your

                                                                                   

Devoted Brother

Junius—

 

P.S. I forgot to tell you that we get oysters every day if we want them. It's a luxury you all cannot get as easily I expect

                                                           

Junius

 

(brother of Mrs. R. L. Judkins)

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