On Picket along the Culpepper

& Perryville Turnpike, Va.

Wednesday Nov. 18^th/63

 

Dear Mother

            I seat myself on my knapsack this morning to again pen you a few lines, assuring you that I am still by the kind mercies of God enjoying excellent health, earnestly hoping this may find you & John in the self same enjoyment. Yours enclosed in the two Standards came to hand night before last. I was happy to hear you were well with the exception of your eyes I hope they are better So they are having quite a revival in the / Methodist Church. God grant that the good word begun may so continue for I think Red Bank is much in need of it.

 

It is a beautiful morning and I have a nice warm place to write with my back against an old pine tree and a bright fire before me. We came on Picket last night (That is one Company & a company from the 51^st N.Y. the night passed away with no incident worth remark. we will be relieved this afternoon.

There is no news of any importance. all was quiet in camp when we left but let me see, we have moved since last I wrote / our Brigade only. we left Brandy Station last Saturday near the hour of sunset, on our way to Culpepper. it was about four mile from Brandy but I guess we went some eight mile to get four, and such another march we never had before. about dark the rain poured down in torrents and it was with difficulty we picked our way along the muddy roads, at length reaching our destination as wet as rats. we soon built fires after the storm had somewhat ceased and such another set of men I never saw. mud from head to foot it was laughable to see the fellows / fall or rather hear them fall splash in the mud, for it was so dark we couldn't see three feet ahead of our noses still it was a horrible night. I laid down and rolled myself up in my woolen blanket after I had dried my feet the best I could & never had a better sleep in my life, couldn't have slept better if I had been in a feather bed, thats a fact

 

But now about the mittens I had forgotten I sent them home, if it isn't too much trouble Mother I wish you would mail them & please put in some black thread, I want a new set of stripes I wish you would get me two yards & three quarters of blue tape or Ferritan about this width. [picture]

 

since I commenced my letter we have been relieved and are in camp again. Hartshorn killed a nice rabbit this morning & now I must close & cook it for dinner

           

write soon

           

my love to you & John /

 

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Your loving Son Alfred

In the Army

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