Wolf Run Shoals Va.

May 21^st, 1863

 

Dear Brother:

                        Your letter of the 13^th inst was rec^d. yesterday and read with pleasure. We are about 35 miles north of Fredericksburgh. We could hear the cannon very distinctly. The Regiments that constitute the first Vt Brigade are the 2^d, 3^d, 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th. The 7^th and 8^th Vt are with Gen Banks—the 9^th at Suffolk—10^th at Whites Ford on the Potomac above Washington—11^th Heavy Artillery Fort Mass, near Washington. The Vt Cavalry are at Fairfax C.H. ten miles north from this place. I am glad to learn that you are having easy times and wish I could say / as much although we have easy times compared with what some of the soldiers have The impression here is that Hooker was badly defeated. From what I can learn by the papers the Rebels are getting pretty well used up—but they may wiggle along a year or two yet. It is very bad for the Government having so many 2 years and 9 months men going home just at this time when they want them most. I should very much like to visit you after my time is out and "get some peaches" but if we have to stay here until the 21^st of July we shall have peaches here for the peach trees were in blossom a month ago The health of the Reg't is good only two of our Company have died and only one sick in Hospital here. Several are in the Gen Hospitals in Washington and some have gone to the Hospitals in Vermont

 

I hear from home as often as twice a week—they were all well the last I heard from them

 

You get all the war news in the papers so it won't pay for me to write any. I am well and tough as ever. Write soon

 

                                                                                    Your Brother

                                                                                                Chs. E. Mead

 

E F Mead Esq

Romeo, Mich.

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