Camp near Stepensburg Va. Nov 15^th 1863

 

Dear Parrents.

          I have received several letters from boath of you since I wrote to you last which was at Gainesville but have had no chance to write since the Captain wrote you a little over a week ago I have been worying very sory that I could not get a chance to write when I wrote I told you that very likely I should not be able to write in over a week I have been a great deal better since I have been with the regiment I am getting stronger & the diarea is checking I am in hopes to be entirely over it in the course of a week. I received the 5 dollars that Father sent me & am much obliged but have had no chance to use it & I shall send it with 15 dollars more in this letter & as soon as you receive it let me know & I will send more because it is not safe with me. / I wish you would send me a fiew stamps in your next for I shall have to borrow the next one I use for you can not buy any thing here I have got two or three sheets of paper here but no envelopes after I send this. also send a little red peper.

 

We have been dow to the Rapidan to day to see if the Johnies were in force on the other side found they were I came back.

 

There is onely one Corps of infantry in our rear the rest have gone no body knows where but we heare it hinted that they have gone away to the right & left & I should not wonder if the rebles found some one in the rear of their fine position one of these fine mornings. I hear that Captain Thompson is home on a thirty days ferlough I hope he will have a pleasant visit.

 

I hope you are all in good health.

 

I expect I shall be Q.M. Sergent on the next pay roll that will bring me / a little more pay 17 dollars a month & a soldier earns all he gets.

 

I receive your papers pretty regularly & they are a great comfort I assure you You wanted to know about the habits of the men there is no chance for any thing but gambling because they can buy no whiskey nor any thing of the kind. I have never played cards since I was in Grand Rapids but once I have very often seen the boys playing when we had nothing to do but I saw those that learned at the same time I did gambling a way their money & I quit before I half learned. I have concluded to send ($5) dollars more ($25) dollars all to gather.

 

I remain your

affectionate Son

W^m. G. Gage.

 

[overleaf]

 

Glover

Nov 15/63

Stephensburgh

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