Head Quarters Co. C. 7^th Mich Cav.

Picket reserve near Mortons ford Va. Dec 17^th/63

 

Dear Father.

                        I have received no letter from home since yours of the 30 Nov. which I received on the 4^th of this month & which I answered on the tenth if I recolect right.

 

We are still on the front as you will see by the heading of my letter, & doing picket duty. I have heard that we were going to fall back acrost the Rapahanock within a week but I do not know whether it is true or not but from appearances I think very likely it is.

 

They have commensed to give ferloughs but they only give them for fifteen day's which would give only five days home & I would not have such / a one if I could get it.

 

I have not heard from Charley Voorheis for a good while have you heard from him is he going to get a ferlough Van Cleek who was wounded at Buckland Mills only a little over a month ago has got a ferlough & I should think Charley could get one every wounded man is entitled to a therty day ferlough & I would have it if I was in Charley's place & if I was not fit for the service I should try to get my discharg they will try to make him go in the invalid corp's but they can not do it if he say's he won't go Is Charley Fuge with you yet if not who have you got in his place.

 

I suppose you are haveing cold weather there now. we are having wet rainy weather here. / should like to be home to have a good skate with Henry on Christmas or new years.

 

I see by the papers that our men have done a splendid thing in the west.

 

I have writen this letter entirely by the light of the fire it is raining now & I am seting under my oil cloath spread over some nails in the form of a half tent.

 

I am gradualy getting better sometimes I am quite regular & at others I have the diarea.

 

Love to all

 

From you son

W^m. G. Gage

 

[overleaf]

 

Morton's

Ford, Va.

12/17/1863

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