Oct 3^th 1864

fort Dushane Va

 

dear Wife i take this time to answer your letter and let you know that iam well and hope you and Lizzie are the same you wanted i should rite more news about the war we moved into the fort friday their is nine peces of cannon in here and about two thousand Soldiers and any quantity out side we are stationed here to protect the fort ihave ben out wunce where icould here the minny balls and shells whistle very lively we expect to stay here some time their is a battle going on it commenced friday about noon within about / one mile from here firday night we ware ordered to lay with our quipments on and our guns loaded by our side friday morning their was as many as thirty thousand troops past here for the battle field they have drove the rebs about 4 miles our pickets are on the Danvil rail road their is any quantity wounded going by here everry hour the officers think this will be about the last battle this fall and ihope it will as for grub we fare verry well better than exspected to ilike as well as could be exspected if iwas at home ishould stay their / we are about 250 miles beyond Washington we are within 15 miles from north Carolina we can here the cannon fireing allmost everry moment now the infantry are out of hearing tel Lizzie that iam well it has ben two months yestoday sinc ileft home some of the officers think we shall all be discharged before next spring have you got your State aid and dose Annie bord with you butter is 80 cts per pound Cheess 60 cts potatoes 12½ cts sweet potatoes 15 cts /

 

icannt any more now ihave to go and drill so imust close by bidding you by

 

            direct your letter

            as before

            from your Husband

            and Father

                        N. S. Kemp

                        Lucinda Kemp

                        Lizzie E Kemp

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