Sept 6^th 1863

Army Northern Va near Orange C.H.

Co H 26 Regt N.C.T.

 

Dear Sister

During the last two or three days I have recd (3) three letters from you and it is with pleasur I seat myself to write you a few lines in answer to you letters I was glad to hear that you were all well this leaves me in my usual good health and I trust it may find you all likewise

 

I have no news of intrest to write the weather has been dry for some time the nights cool it is getting cloudy and perhaps we may have rain soon all is quiet all along the line no signs of any immediate movements but I know not how soon something will take place 

 

We are drawing full rashions and it is a plenty Beef Bacon & flour the men seem to be in better spirits than they have since the Battle of Gettysburg Pa

I must stop writeing this evening for preaching

 

Monday morning the 7^th

I take my pen to finish my letter no news since the above was writen

 

there is no news from B B Moore W C Moore is here in camp with us he is well and hearty. Mr D. C. Ferguson brother to the preacher is very sick with chronic diarrhea

 

the 44^th Regt is in camp by side of us Malcolm Leach is well but has not heard anything from Sandy M^cLeod since he was sent to the hospital some time ago. he as got 2 letters from Angus P. Leach /

 

            I am sorry to hear of the death of our old friend and neighbor Mr M^cDuffee but that is what will be said of some day of all men and he died it has been the fate of the whole human family with only (2) two exceptions Enock and Elijah did not die for God took them

 

there is revivals of religion in the surrounding Brigades we have have no chaplain in our Regt and consequently no revival but we are not denied the privalige to hear preaching there was (3) three sermons preached on yesterday in 50 yds of us and service is held every night at the same place conducted by as able a preacher I ever saw he is of the Episcopalian [?] has joined the Baptiste he is in a Georgia Brigade /

 

            When I wrote you a few days ago I learned from C. C. Roberts that John M^cKinnon could not talk but since I find that he had not been about John much untill about the last

 

            P Willcox says that John could talk but as it was difficult for him to talk he talked but little he bore his wounds with patience and calmness and would say when asked how he felt would say he felt as well as could be expected of one wounded as he was. he spoke some of the wounded that were makeing great complaints and told them to be patient and endure there pain with more calmness. he would call for water at first or any thing he wanted but before he died could only motion for what he wanted. I cannot learn that he spoke anything of his home or not. I will write all I can learn from time to time of him

no more at present

 

your affectionate Brother                  

N. Deaton

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