Camp Handcock near

Brandy Station Jan 18^th 1864

                                                                                                             

Dear Wife

                        As I have a few spair monents I thought I would write a few lines to you hopeing to find you in good health as I myself am not very smart at this time however I will come out all right it is raining very hard at the time I am writeing but never mind have good quarters although the mud is knee deep out side such is old Verginia—but I wish to god the war was at an end It is a big thing to be a Soldier yet I can^t see it I suppose the papers are full of war news as ever all about reenlisting and big bountys if I was out of the servace they could keep there bountys wish / to god Mary you was out hear with me for I cannot get along without you I went over to the Regament the other day to see the boys everything was all right on my way over stoped in to a rebs house there I saw a girl she wanted me to buy her some oysters I told her to let me kiss her first what says she a yankey kiss me reckon not I told her to go-to-Hell if she wanted a long voyage so this ended the conversation with the secesh lady how is emma and the baby hope your answer to this will find them all well and enjoying good health please not forget my song book no more until I hear from you

 

From your husband

 

            Ranford Riggs /

 

            Please direct to

Thompsons Battery "C" 2^nd Corps

2^nd Division Army Potomac

Near Brandy Station

                                    Washington

                                                DC

SOURCES