Sunday night 12 oclock Dec 15^th 1862

 

Dear Mother.

                        I have been so busy since I have received your letter that I have really had no time to answer it. We are to leave tomorrow morning at 7 oclock for Burnsides Army to help fight the great battles which must come off before Richmond and must I think decide this war unless the present sitting does something before long. When you write again direct your letters as before to Washington DC. I dont know whether the letters that come here after I am gone will follow me or not. But I hope so for I want to hear from George Whit. However I may / soon see him and where I hope I may fighting with me. And if the 2 Georges tell Sarah cant keep up the reputation of Old Litt then it must go down.

 

Dear Mother. This may be the last letter you will ever get from me as I may get back in time to participate in the coming battle which Burnside must soon have. As the papers give great account of his capture of Fredricksburg and the falling off the rebels to their breastworks a mile or so behind the city.

 

But I go from here as cheerful as when I left you the 21^st of August '61 knowing that / if I am shot down in battle no one shall have it to say that I was skulking to the rear IE Jo chandler, when wanted. Not that I want to go and leave these comfortable quarters for the hardships and dangers of the advance of the army. But since I have been in the service I have not disobeyed any order and knowing it is my duty to go I go without a word I am anxious to see my comrades what few there is left and many an hour will I while away on picket telling about the fun I have had in parole camp 

 

I think there is no one so sorry for my leaving for those parts of toil and danger as my dear little mother but I know that she will not worry if I tell her not to. So hoping you will excuse this essay I will hasten to close it by signing it your Affect Son

                                                                                               

George. H. Patch

 

PS. Give my love to all inquiring friends especially my lady friends.

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