Nov 20 1862

In Camp near Frederiksburg

           

Dear Sister Martha

            Here we are at Frederiksburg or rather on the opposite side of the river near Falmouth We have had a long march since we left Pleasant Valley you can just look at the map and see the distance

 

Saturday                                                                                             

Nov 22 1862

I was oblidged to leave off writing day before yesterday as it came on dark and it was raining hard. we received a mail last night I received yours and Fathers letter of the 10^th I also received the pair of gloves safe and the two / papers. We came here wednesday Frederiksburg is in possession of the rebels it is said they have 19 guns in position Gen Burnside has given so long a time it is reported to evacuate it is reported that he is to commence to shell the city to day When I wrote you last (which was at Jefferson Nov 11) I was pretty slim but I am now feeling first rate I have a good appetite I wrote you that I had seen John a number of times he looks well. We stopped at Jefferson two or three days when we were ordered up one morning about three and skedadled about 3 or 4 miles to White Sulphur Springs and it was lucky we did as there was but a small / force of us and the rebels around us pretty thick. We stopped at the latter place two or three days. I tell you this was a splendid place before the war broke out we had a chance to drink of the sulphur water while we stopped here it tastes and smells great deal like gun powder and water I think This place was a great resort for invalids there is a bath house connected with it. The roads are in a bad condition now as we have had a great rain storm which leaves the roads very muddy we lay as comfortable as could be expected nights we manage to get hold of some straw or hay when we stop nights / and when we can do no better we go into the woods and cut some pine and cedar boughs to lay on. You wished me to write what division we are in we are in Gen. Sturgis division We are in what is called 2^nd division 9^th Army corps we are in Brig Gen Ferrero's brigade. I have not received the letter that Mother wrote but I understand we are to receive some more mail to day. We shall probably be at Richmond in two or three weeks if the roads are not too bad after we take this city If the rebels do not evacuate there must be a fight it probably be mostly an Artillery fight I think there will be a great deal done towards / settling this war before spring How is business at Manchester you must write all the news you can I was happy to hear that Father's foot is getting so much better I do not think it would hardly be prudent to send a box quite yet I do not think of much more to write tell Charley he must write. I wished I had time to write to the neighbors tell them they must write tell Evie I guess she will have to go the P.O. a great many times before she gets a letter as I can not find much time to write I have not written to Charlestown yet / I received those postage stamps you sent tell Father I have plenty of money for a while and that I very much oblidged to him for offering to send me some. Tobacco is very scarce out here among the boys although it does not trouble me any I will send you a few persimmon seeds in this letter I wish you would just put an envelope in the next letter you send as I am all out and you might put a little thread if you please but I must close as my sheet is nearly full give my love to all write as often as you can from your affectionate brother                       

William

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