Camp of The Fourteenth N.J.

At Brandy Station, Virginia

            Nov 12^th 1863

                       

Dear Mother

                                    Yours of the 4^th came duly to hand and I was very happy to hear from you to hear that you were well. I am on duty today but I guess I can have time to write you a few lines. I am on Brigade Head Quarters Guard. I have my guard house in an old delapidated building which is a little the worse for wear. I wrote to you three or four days ago stating that we were again on the march / and we still remain in the same vicinity we were when I wrote, at Brandy Station. At some former time this has been quite a nice little place. there has been about 20 houses but some of them are no more, many a camp made bright with a board fire. I had a letter from Harry Child last night he also sent me his card de visite. he looks as natural as life. I hav'nt heard from Aunt Clemmy in a long long while. I wrote to Uncle Henry to but he has never favored me with an answer as yet. I guess they have forgotten me. I dont think I shall write again until I / hear from them. I am glad Ged has gone in the Navy I hope he may yet do well. Dear me the wind blows through my shanty and fills my eyes full of ashes for I have a fireplace in one corner. one of the men has been over to camp & says the Paymaster has made his appearance & also that Co^l Cook is there so I shall send you $20.00 & then you can get your spectacles Mother you had better not send any of that to the Bank for you may want to use some. And I may want to send for some things if we ever stop for winter

 

it is quite a pleasant / day but yesterday & the day before I can tell they felt like winter. it froze very thick ice night before last.

 

you say my bird has been lousy, no more so than its master I guess, ha, ha. Then Billy Worthley has gone & done it. Give my love to John and bear me in remembrance to any enquiring friends. I think I told you that I received the tobacco. I must now close write soon. I cannot tell how long we will lay here, but I think we will move on in a day or two if it isn't to cold & dont storm.

           

I remain Your Loving Son

Albert

           

May God bless you all my friends & keep you from all Harm              

ACH

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