Camp Shawnee

Winchister Va

May 31^th 1863

 

Dear Sister Hannah

I now right you these few lines to let you know how i am I am well and hope these few lines will find you the same we have mooved we had a prety hard march but we have got to our new camp and we like first rate we are on picket to day we have to stay on picket to days as our Regt has gone on a scout when they will come back i cannot tell but i guess to knight

 

we have a nice camp but we are in the enemeys countrey we are out on the out side picket we havent had any / trouble yet but we expect it every day but we do not trouble ourselvs much about it I havent heard from Gilbert in 7 or 8 weeks i cannot think what the matter is that he does not right when next you right to him tell him to right to me and let me know where he is for i want to hear from him I had just got a little box ready to send to you for the children but we had orders to march and i could not get a chance to send it and so i had to leave it I could not cary it with me for we had so much load i had to throw away my over coat we all putt them in a heap and burnt them so the damd rebels could not / get them. we are in a fine countrey but the afects of war has sent it to ruin I dont see as this war will ever come to a close but i live in hopes that it will soon close the countrey looks baren enough down here there is nothing planted out here at all they say they dont know what they shall do next winter if this war continues they say that they must starve if there isent somthing done soon bacon is $100 per pound and every thing in perpotion i dont see how they can live long at this rate we expect to see some fighting before long but we dont know but let it come i shall do the best i can and if i get killed that is the end. / I will now close by sending my love and best respects and hope we may soon be permited to meet soon at our homes right as soon as it comes convinent and i will right as often as i can this is from your true and afecinate brother

           

W^m H. Ward

           

please Direct Co. B.

            18 Regt CV

            Winchister Va.

            and I shall receive

            them

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