Camp near City P^t, Va.

July 17^th/64

                       

My Dear Mother,

I have just returned from the point where I went to pass away an idle hour, accompanied by a Brother Sergeant. we seated ourselves under a bunch of young pines near the shore and enjoyed the cool breeze from off the river. it seems indeed natural to get near a river, it reminds me of laying off on the steamboat bank at Red Bank. it has been an unusually quiet Sabbath. there hasn't / been a shot fired today to my knowledge. the weather continues very warm & no appearance of rain. our Corps has not returned as yet therefore we are still enjoying our welcome rest and our horses are gaining flesh already and if we continue to lay here until the latter part of next week we will have the greater number of our ambulances repaired & ready for any emergency.

 

            I am in hopes our Division will return soon for I am all anxiety to receive a letter to learn how / you are getting along this warm weather.

 

I am enjoying very good health only feeling lazy, which is nothing more than natural to the soldier, for you know they never do anything ha ha. I have seen no account of killed & wounded in our Regiment. I want to see the Boys bad enough and find out who is & is not hurt.

 

            I met with rather a narrow escape while going to water a few nights since. a horse kicked me on the side of my left knee and as it happened never / broke a bone, but it made me walk on two extra legs for a day or two. it is a little sore yet, but it will soon be a good leg again. so you see its better to be born lucky than rich, isn't it Mother? There is no news from the front & it is impossible to tell what will be done, or when anything will be done. our But I must now close hoping soon to hear from you. My love to you & John & remember me to enquiring friends. May God bless you all. Your Affec Son

                                                                                                                                   

ACH

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