Cool and cloudy all quiet along the Rapidan at the moment of writing this.                             

G.H.P.                                                 

 

I got them stamps and all the papers you send me I always get them

 

Sept 19^th 20 63

Camp near Racoon Ford Rapidan River Va

Dear Father and Mother.

                                                I received your letter commenced Sept 11^th last night and think that I will answer it to day. I will give you a detail of what adventures we have passed through since leaving Morrisville which is just one week today. We left camp at 11 oclock and marched down to Bealton Station, and from there to Rappahanock Station by the road which runs along side of the Railroad. The day was intensely hot and many had to fall out owing to being overheated and but for a providential shower that fell about 2 oclock I should have had to cave in. When we reached the Station we moved into the woods and bivouacked for the night. / About dark it commenced raining and continued all night. At midnight two days rations were served out and with that and being wet through I did not get much sleep that night. The next morning we crossed the river and marched out to the Picket line, and waited for the Cavalry to get ahead. after they had been gone about ½ an hour we started, and in a few moments heard cannonading, but as we advanced and it grew no nearer we concluded that the Cavalry were driving them. We continued our march until we reached Brandy Station about 7 miles from the Rappahanock, where we rested about 1 hour, then we took up our marched for Culpeper and reached there about 7 at night. We took up position on a hill and we remained there 2 days, then we / moved the other side of Culpepper and remained there 1 day. Culppeper is a is a nice little town on a commanding hill (a healthy location) and boasts of 2 churches, a Court house, slave pen, and 3 or 4 insignificant store. the people are strong secesh. After we left Culpepper we moved out to Racoon Ford and relieved the Cavalry of the picket duty in this vicinity, and the Cavalry about (14,000) have gone on some other expidition, probably to make a raid on the rebels flank and rear, while I think that this Corps will take protection of this place while the Army moves upon the enemys flank and rear, if possible. We are doing picket along the river, and the first day we relieved the Cavalry they fired on us every chance they could get. if you exposed yourself you would hear whish ish chuck a bullet would go into a / or the ground close side of you. they would run out and slap their behinds to us, but a few well directed shots soon put an end to that fun. I fired 11 shots but didn't do much good. I had one bullet strike the top of my cap and sent the cap more than a rod, but I pulled up and fired and the fellow didnt fire again, for I think I hit him or else scared him.

 

I am all right and sound as a nut. I can eat all I can get of my rations and forage the country for corn potatoes cabbage and other eatables. Besides that I am in good health, and spirits of the best kind, as usual. That magazine you sent me was Sept. edition. I want you to give my love to Grandpa and Grandma Patch and also to Grandpa and Grandma Brown and tell them I am doing well and wish them all the blessings that can be bestowed upon them. Tell little sister to be a nice little girl and kiss her for me. And father if you want to buy a farm take my money all of it, to help you so I can have a home some time of my own. I should like to have you buy one. And dear Mother my blessing upon thee my best protector and friend next to the Almighty, what can I say to you, nothing my heart is too full so Good bye, more anon

George. H. Patch

           

Give my love to all inquiring friends

           

only about 11 months more

hope on hope ever.

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