[letterhead: Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment.]

 

State of Maryland Dec 3^rd 1862

 

Dear wife I now seat myself this overcast morning at precisely eight o'clock to write a few lines to you and let you know where I am at the present time. Well I don't know any more definite name to the place that I am now in than the heading of this letter we are some 25 miles from the city of Washington marching down by the side of the Potomac river as near as I can judge about ten miles from port Tobacco (perhaps you think that I should like that port) and marching toward it at the rate of about 20 miles per day and not having to start from here till ten o'clock I thought I might write a few lines. I got a letter from you last night dated Nov 23^rd and was supre- / mely happy to hear from you. We have been on the march ever since Monday noon time well that is not a great while only 1½ days the first afternoon we marched twelve miles and the next day we marched 22 miles only stopping to rest occasionly and at noon to get our meals. we have what we call shelter tents to put up at night they are just large enough to cover two men and each man has to carry half and then they put it up at night take it down in the morning and pack it up in our knapsacks and start again. Well I have not time to write any more so I must close. Direct the same as before give my best respects to all and I will write more when I get a chance

 

            Theres love for you and a kiss so good bye Write when convenient

                                                                                                           

J. M. Prime

 

By the way I  am very thankful for those stamps

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