Camp in the Feild near

                                                                                                Culpepep Culpepper Court

                                                                                                house Va Nov 17^th 1863

 

My Dear Brother and Sister

I will try and write a line to you this forenoon in answer to your dear [ink blot] letter which I received larst night and glad was I to hear fom you once more. I can assure you I am well and enjoying good health, with the exception of a slight cold, which I got larst night out on picket. Well we have seen some verry rough times; since I wrote to you larst. I think we were at Culpepper when I wrote to you before. we made some forced marches. at one time we marched 50 miles in 36 hours with eight days rations besides our / knapsacks. I dont know what you call that but we called it verry good marching, but if we had been a few hours later the rebs would have got in ahead and we should had to have fought hard to goined the [ink blot] of Bull run. of [ink blot] Corps had to fight them [ink blot] all the way their, and then we wheeled on them and followed them back and after repairing the railroad which they tore up all the way, our Corps had to repair that and the detail from our Regt was so large at one time that their was hardly a private left fit for duty, but that is done now, and when we crossed the river we had some fighting to do, but they did not make much of / stand but they run like chaff before the wind. I think you would would have laughed to see their heels fly as the balls & shell tore after them. they left in a big hurry they did not expect us we came on them unawares. we slept on the battle feild at night we crossed the river and in the morning we found a dead rebel near where I laid, but we did not mind anything about that for the tired soldier can sleep anywhere and among anything. they left two dead on the feild our Pioneers buried them and we marched on. our Brigade is now in the advance of the rest of our Corps. we are to support the Cavalry. Well one word about Culpepper their is but one family their I think it is in sight of here about half a mile / the Court house is used by the Cavalry now for a horse stable and the windows of all the houses are broke in and it looks rough now I tell you. it was a verry pretty place in peace, but where ever we encamp if their is a house in sight it is torn down the first thing for stuff to make tents and wood to burn. the inhabitants have about all left here you will see nice plantations all destroyed I never saw so much destruction but they should not have rebeled and stuck to the Union. Well I have just got your paper, with the gum & I have got a cud in my mouth and it tastes good I can assure you and I thank you a thousand times for your taking so much pains and glad to think I have a Brother / and Sister who thinks of their absent soldier Brother who is deprived of all the luxuries of home life and all such little things as gum and of such life like come to me like great gifts, and those who send them are a thousand times thankful for the trouble by their soldiers frie [ink blot] tion in the Army I have not my box yet but if we dont make a move we shall get our express before long now the railroad is done. Where is Frank now. I have not heard a word about them him for some time. I think you promised to receit this soon. I had begun to think that you had forgot to write, but the mail goes out soon and I must close for this time write as soon as convenient / and all the news. We have been having verry good & pleasant weather, untill within a few days & it is getting cold & wet and I dont think we shall Campaine it round much more this fall. I wish you and Suly would have your pictures taken and send to me, and the little babys

 

this from your Dear and

affectionate Brother

                                    Joseph

To, his Dear Brother & Sister

                        Cooledge & Ursula

 

Corps J. W. Fletcher.

Co. H. 10^th Vt Regt

 

Answer on recept of this kiss Elmer for me Suly and love to Mr Davis folks and all enquireing friends and save a large share for yourselves

                                                                                                Joseph

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