Nov 5 1862

Near Piedmont Station Va

           

Dear Father

            It is now a week ago saturday since I have received a letter from home Wilkins Charley Johnson and John received them but mine was missing I was very sorry to hear that you were laid up with the Errisepalies in your ancle I have seen John twice within the last two or three and had quite a conversation with him he looks pretty well but not quite so fleshy as he was I have been pretty sick for the last week or more I have been feverish and but little / appetite I am a little better than I was I rode in an ambulance part of one day but have since managed to march I wrote home to Martha last thursday when we were at Wheatland. I wish in your next letter you would send me some good kind of pills so that I can take them I wrote you in one of my letters that I would like to have you send me out some kind of a pair of gloves you can send them by mail the same as a letter The NH Battery has been engaged two or three days with the rebels John says they skedadled in a hurry they drove them ten miles They have not marched / very hard since we started there was quite a number of days we marched from 5 to 8 miles but there was one day we marched about 15 miles but I rode in an ambulance the most of that march I am sorry to say that Gill is unwell he seems to be feverish and weak somewhat the same as I am but he appears to be a little better and he will be all right in a few days no doubt as I will also I hope give yourself no uneasiness about me I am taking good care of myself I tell you our Army is driving the Rebels we hear the firing every day now and are following them up we are aiming for / Thouroughfare Gap we have marched I should think about six or eight miles to day we were camped at Upperville yesterday. The battery boys had a good feast when they entered this place. They had chickens milk and honey and I dont know what else but I believe I must close this letter excuse this shocking writing as I do not feel just like writing to day I will try and have a more interesting letter next time write often give my love to all from

your affectionate son

                        William

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