May the 19^th 1863

Hanover Junction Va

C^o H 26^th N.C.T.

 

Dear Sister

The letter you wrote to me while you were in Montgomery came to hand in due time and it aforded me much satisfaction. being that I wrote home two or three times since I rec^d your letter I have delayed writing to you untill now. I have not heard from home since we came to Va. and I am getting very anxious to know how you are all getting along I have writen twice since we came to to this place My health is good and the company is enjoying excelent health at this time and I trust this may reach and find you all enjoying good health. I hope to hear from home soon. when you write address to Richmond Va.

C^o H 26 N.C.T.           Pettigrew's Brigade 

 

We still remain at the North Anna River at the guarding the Richmond and Fredericksburg Rail Road Bridge and also the County Bridge We may remain here for some time but as the Brigade has drew a suply of wagons and other equipments there seems to be preparations makeing for a long march it is opinion of some we will go towards the Rapahannock. as we came from Richmond to this place our Regt came in front and passed Ashland just a little before the yankees made dash on the road and tore up the track at that place the rest of the Brigade were cut off and was three or four days in reaching here our Reg^t arived here in time to save these bridges the enemy were on their way to these bridges and met a contraband who told them that Gen^l Pettigrew was here in readiness with 8,000 men and 2 batteries of Artillery. the negro exagerated / greately and his story probably saved our regt from from having a brush with the enemy for there was only our Regt was the only troops here at the time and were without a single piece of Artillery

 

            Concerning the great battle at Fredericksburg I expect you have heard as much almost as I have because every newspaper is flooded with acounts of it I saw about 4,000 of the yankees that were captured at Fredericksburg.

 

            I learn from a letter from Moore county that the men detailed from this Brig. are up there and are scattering the deserters it is said that S. W. Brewer from our company has shot 2 of them that is the deserters killing one and wounding the other

 

            I cannot tell when I will get a furlough there is none granted in our Reg^t now but if I live and furloughing begins any more I have the first chance to go /

As I have nothing more in conclusion I will send my best respects to cousin Christian Bethune and to all. May God in his mercy go with us throug all circumstances and ever shield us from the many dangers that surround us on every side and at last save us in his kingdom

 

nothin more write soon your affectionate Brother

Noah Deaton

 

            P.S.      I have just heard that Simon Seawell is in Richmond wounded but that the wound is not dangerous the report came by Parson Bowden who used to preach at Bensalem

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