Patterson's Creek is on the Baltimore & Ohio RailRoad

Patterson's Creek, Va. Jan. the 15^th 1862

 

Dear Mother,

                        I rec^d your kind letter yesterday, and if there ever was a letter that gave me satisfaction, it was your's. I was glad to learn that you were enjoying good health. I can in answer to yours inform you that Henry and I are both enjoying good health. I never enjoyed better health in my life than I have since I have ben in the service of the U.S. And I now weigh three pounds and a half more than Henry does. I weigh one hundred and seventy one pounds. 

 

We have saw some pretty hard times during the last two weeks. We had a hard march from Springfield here. A part of the way the mud was very deep. But as I had good boots I got along very well. We started from Springfield at two O'clock at night, and we had a dark muddy tramp. All of the forces at Romney and Springfield have retreated as far back as this place. We learned that the Rebels were advancing on us with quite a superior force. This probably was the reason of our retreating. I suppose there are now plenty of Rebels at Romney. 

 

It snowed about one inch deep yesterday and this morning it is a sleeting as hard as ever I saw.

 

I sent up to Cumberland yesterday for my revolver and somebody had taken it out of the office, and they did not know who it was. And I know not whether I will get it or not. We have a few boys out of our Company down there at the hospital, it may be that some of them have taken it out, if not it probably is lost. I will know in a few days whether any of them have taken it out or not. I fear I will not get it. 

 

I have nothing more of very much importance to write at this time. I would be glad to see you all again. But I know not when I may have such a privilege. But I still hope it will not be much longer. But may we not get to return home until peace is again permanently established.

 

You need not be surprised if you hear of a battle in this part of Virginia before many more weeks. I think that Banks with a large number of troops are after the rebels on the opposite side to us. So no more at presant. All of you write as soon as convenient. From your absent but not forgotten son         W. H. Speer

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