Camp near White Oak Va

May 15^th 1863

 

Dear Mother

                        I received yours of the 5^th and as is always the case was extremely glad to hear from home. This is the third letter that I have wrote to you since the fight I know that you are naturally anxious to hear from me and more so now than before the battle. My health is still very good and has been all along. In this letter I send you twenty dollars ($20.00) which I want you to use just as you think best Whenever you want anything dont hesitate to use my money, but if you dont need it put it out to the best advan- / tage and draw it whenever you want it. Gun Moore did not get his furlough approved as he expected on account of the late battle, and as he concluded that he could not get home at present he gave me my money back again. I have to send it by mail for there is no other way within my reach

 

            The weather is very fine indeed some days are too warm to be very comfortable.

 

            Everything looks beautiful the grass has sprung up the trees are covered with leaves and it is much more pleasant than it was during the stormy months of winter.

 

            We have no picketing to do for the troops in front of us have that to do. We have been a / week in our present camp but how long we will stay I can't tell. We expected to cross the river long before this time but we may remain here for some time especially as the two years and nine months are going home, some of them having already been mustered out. I guess though that we are for three years or during although some of the boys have got the idea that we are a nine months regiment. The Col. soon put that notion out of their heads by telling our Capt. that we are for 3 years. Although I would like to go home on a furlough I don't think that I would be contented to stay at home while this war lasts. One of our / Comp died very suddenly on day-before-yesterday (Wednesday) the cause of his death was some disease of the heart I believe. His name is Thomas Cunningham of Pine Grove This is the first man of our Co who has died in the Regt. I am glad to hear that Buwell is well I sent him a letter a few days since containing a description of the battle in the rear of Fredericksburgh. In this letter I send you two Rebel post-stamps which one of our boys got off of a dead Reb. You can give those post stamps to Bro. Will But I must close for we will soon have to go out on drill. Give my love to all. Write soon again

 

In my next letter I will send you some more money if this goes home safe.

 

Your son Thomas

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