December 3^d 1863.

Head Quarters 1^st Brig 2^d Div 2^d Corps

near Brandy Station

 

                        Dear Mother,

                                                Our Army commenced a retrogade movemment night before last. it surprised all of us as we had not had hardly a sight of the rebs. Our Corps was in the centre and had some little fighting on our advance. We lost about forty out of our brigade. it was all skirmish fighting After we drove the rebs rite thru holes and behind their earth works we laid in front of them for two days watching each other. They had works which were quite as strong as those at Fredericksburg and if we had attempted to storm them as it was sugested by Gen Warren our Corps would lost of over seven eights of its present number

 

            I hear that Gen Meade says he has accomplished his object and that / was to keep Lees Army in check and perhaps withdraw a portion of his western troops and relieve Burnside.

 

It th has been a hard campaign the nights are cold and we had some rainy weather. I think our campaning is over till next spring and we will probably pull back in a few days near the Warrenton Branch RR and remain there for the winter

 

            Some think that Meade started expressly to give Lee battle and got frightened out of it. I cant think that is the case. It probably will come out in time what his object was. I was not well before we started on the march but remained on duty till we found their was to be no fighting when I got excused and returned home with the Army in an ambulance. I have had very violent pain through my bones / and was threatened with fever. the Dr inform me this morning that he has broken it up and if we remain here a few days he will have me all right. I feel much better to-day than I have since we started.

 

            My Thanksgiving dinner did not come off. We broke camp early that morning. I have hardly tasted of any thing but a little corn starch since we left here my appetite is slowly returning

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