Crab Orchard, Ky.

Sept 8^th 1863.

 

Brother and Sister,

                         I have two letters now on hand from you that I have not answered, one of the 21^st and the other of the 30^th, which I have just rec^d. I rec^d the other one about a week ago, but I did not feel like writing, so I have waited till now, and I dont feel much better now. I have had the fever and ague lately, about every other day. I have begun to doctor myself now. I have got some brandy and cayenne pepper. I think that I can kill it now.

 

            I would like to know who told you that I was coming home. I may come home, but you need not look for me. I have got a leave of absence started through the commanding officers of the Brigade, Division, and Corps, (or in other words,) I have made application for a leave of absence for twenty days / And if that is approved, all through, why then you will see me up that way in the course of a month, but you need not make any calculations on it, there is so much red tape about our Army that a man cant tell anything about such matters. this Corps is now prepareing to move on down into Tennessee, about 120 miles from here, and just about one half of the men and Officers are sick now, and by the time they get down there, the rest of them will be dead. I know of one that wont go a great ways, if they move, in less than a month. I rode about 30 miles day before yesterday in an Ambulance, and it like to killed me

dinner just       I had to stop for dinner just now, so I will try again. tell Uncle Avery that fowler is well. I saw him last friday, and he was tough and hearty as ever. he says that he has forgot how to write. John fletcher is driving team now.

 

            I have not answered Margarets last letter yet, so I will have to write a little for her, and Noble. I think that Margaret improves in writing very fast, and in spelling to. tell noble that I will bring him something prettier than his flag when I come home, If I ever come home again, and if I can find anything. I will get something for her.

 

            I had a letter from Mary Hurlbut last week. they were all well, but Marys little girl was rather unwell. I suppose you have heard that Wesley Hurlbut and his wife had been out to South Creek.

 

            And I had a letter from Dave today. he was at Elmira then when he wrote he had just got paid 25 dollars of his bounty, and two dollars for reenlistment.

 

            That Photograph come through all right. I have not heard from her in a long time.

 

            so I will close. write soon.

 

I remain as ever your Brother,

Capt W^m Chase. /

Crab Orchard, Ky.

Via of Cin Ohio.

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