Gloucester Point, Va.

Dec 18^th 1863

 

Dear Sister

                        I take the pleasure of writing a few lines to you to let you know that I have not forgoton you allthough it seems to me sometimes that I am forgoton and forsaken by every body but it is a mere fancy which we have when the mind is in a meloncoly mood It would seem at times as though everything that was true and noble had vanished from my presence and I wer like unto a plant that encoumbereth the ground which brought forth no fruit neather good nor evil therfore it should be cut down and cast into the fire 

 

But Dear Sister

                        I would not have you to think that my mind is allwais in this meloncoly state for I sometimes have nobler thoughts & my mind wanders back to those loved ones at home to those dear kindred ties that binds us to this Mother Earth, then it is that I see I have something still to five for and I try to drive all gloomy thoughts away by calling upon the most high Prince the God of gods and the king of Kings and asking of him to strenghen my heart in prayer and give me wisdom and understanding so that as I grow in years I may grow wise unto salvation Let us not forget our duty here in this life and we will reap our reward in that world without end 

 

Dear Sister

                        I will now I will now give you a few details of what has transpired during the the weak On Wednesday evening about half past six a fire broke out in the cook house atached to the General Hospital in Yorktown and in less then half one hour it had spread so as to get into one of the 9 magazines and such an explosion as took place was a site to behold shot and shell of every discription wer bursting in the air our camp being on the oposite side of the river we had a splendid view of the fire & still was out of danger the causialites wer several badly wounded but none killed that I have heard of & on Thursday afternoon about 2 O'clock PM, a vidette came into camp reporting the enemy in site of our picket Our regt. was out on inspection at / at the time they wer immediatly dismissed and ordered to get redy to fall in line to repulse the enemy in a very few minutes they wer all in line but the enemy did not appear to advance it would seem as though they had not ben in very strong force It is reported by the cavilry that went out on a scout this morning that their had ben about 150 rebel Cavilry came down with the intention of capturing our teams that go out after wood every day but they did not succeed in capturing anny no more at present but remains your

                                                                       

Brother

Ronald

 

wishing you all

a merry christamas                                                     

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