Camp Near the Rapidan River Va

Tuesday Sept 22^nd 1863

 

Dear Sister & Mother

            I received your letter of the 17^th yesterday and was happy as I always am to hear from you. But sorry to hear that Mother is sick. you must take good care of her if you have to hire help to get time, and have a good Doctor if she has to go through a fever. We left Kellys ford the 16^th and were two (2) days coming here. we are a few miles south east of Culpepper, and not far from the Rapidan River. Our picket line is near the river, the Rebels have a strong position on the other side. I sent Mother $10.00 the day before we left Kellys ford and $10.00 more since we came here. they are probably / in Wolcott now if they went safe. We are under marching orders and are to have 6 or 8 days rations to carry on our backs. we drew the rations this morning, when we shall start, or where we shall go remains to be seen. I heard yesterday that the paroled prisoners were to be allowed to go home untill further orders but dont hardly believe it. if it had been so I think father would have wrote me about it. I hope so. the difference between the funerals of Bill Bradly & Judd Lewis shows where the patriotism of the people of Ansonia is. So Joe Whiting & Hat H— have Disolrea, well—if that would close the Rebellion it would seem to do but it will not so I / dont care. I had a letter from Edson a few days since and one from Newell. Newell thinks he shall not trouble the Army again. I wonder what he would think if he had been with the Army of the Potomac. I hope Mother will have recovered before this reaches you, for I dont want her chickens to suffer for if this war should happen to terminate soon, I think I could spoil the looks of about 3 good fat ones baked. I am going on pickett today. we dont go till in the afternoon for they cant relieve the pickets untill after dark on account of the Rebs being a little saucy. it is getting to be quite like fall, cool nights & mornings but I have not suffered yet / we have both rubber & woolen blankets & shelter tents. I do not want an over coat just yet. if we have got to have a long march and I guess we have, it is reported that Richmond is being evacuated I suppose time will have to tell. But I must close give my Love to Rob & Mother and accept this from your affectionate Brother

                                                Evelyn E Moulthrop

A. M. Stevenson

 

P. S. Remember me to Mr

& Mrs Pond

Ev

 

I may send for some more money before we get paid again so mother can give you $5.00 in case I should send.

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