Camp Peytons ford November 12 1863

 

Dear Mother

                        I have waited patiently for a letter from you but none yet. I have not heard a word from home since I left there why dont you write by mail. Our army has fallen back to the Rappidann again with a right heavy loss. On Friday night the sixth of november two of our Infantry Brigades was over the Rappahanock on picket in our entreanchments recently made there. Sometime during the night a large body of Yankee Infantry charged our men killing & taking the most of both Brigades. Some say 1800 will cover our loss. The yankee loss was very heavy too. Our whole army staid in Culpepper until Sunday night & then left without a fight Our lines are just as they were before on the Rappidann. Our Division of Cavalry is in Madison between the Rappidann & the Robinson river Our horses is fairing very badly. You know grass is very scarce at this season of the year well we get sometimes three lbs of corn & sometimes none. I have been feeding mine for the last two days on wheat chaff Fanny has fallen off a great deal her back is very sore but is getting better. How is Tom is he fat yet dont let the ___ get him write word when you write how he is & whether you have gotten the hogs / & how you get along shucking corn & how it turns out &c. I suppose uncle John's easy now about Jinny. John Washington got up two days ago & says he heard that you had gotten a letter from him very recently but I did not put any confidence in that. I hear a great many flying reports from the west but nothing reliable. I must close give my love to all enquiring friends & relations

 

From your devoted Son until death

November 12 1863                                                     Tommy

 

P.S. All the Boys

            is well

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