This evening furnishes a favorable opportunity to answer the note I received from you a few days ago. We have gotten out of the dismal swamps of east. Va once more, and you can’t imagine my gratitude for this inestimable blessing.

We I left Suffolk on the 4th early in the morning with the sick of the brigade and got here on last night, the 6th. The troops left there on the night of the 4th and are not here yet, having to march all the way. Among the many casualties that our men were subject, was The casualties of our army was considerable upon our departure. And among the many I am sorry to say that some of our boys are of the number; Jess T. Hurst, Stephen C. Lindsey, and Clark E. Coltrane are all lost. They were fatigued and worn out by the protracted hardships they had to undergo whilst around Suffolk and could not keep up on the retreat and consequently fell into the hands of the enemy. Tell Sister Kitty not to be uneasy about him, as he is in much less danger and can fare much better than whilst in our army. I guess the boys will be with again in a few days as they exchange prisoners as soon as taken.

I am unable to say where we will go to now, whether we will stay here a while or go directly on to Fredericksburg. I think it very probable that we will go to Fredericksburg. I am very anxious to hear from Jimmy and Alex to know how they fared in the late fight. The papers give it as a deadly contest with heavy loss on both sides. The illustrious Jackson lost his left arm during the engagement.

It is thought there will be fighting there again very soon. I am not very well these times—have been suffering severely from dysentery for about a week.

Well, Stephen, I would appreciate a visit to your house this evening and enjoy a quiet and pleasant family chat with all of you. But of this comfort I am now deprived and must content myself with thinking and writing about it. Such a thing might be as of me never being permitted to meet your smiling faces again this side the vast ocean of eternity. And in view of this solemn fact, let us make such preparations as will insure our happy meeting beyond this life of trouble and misery. The thought often strikes me with [irresis able?] force why it is that we love this world so much, when every day proves its futile and worthless nature, a world so full of trouble, disappointment, misery and sin.

You must all write me as often as possible and I will do the same. We have to move about so much that it prevents me writing often when I would. Direct to 29th Va Regt., Corse Brigade, Pickett’s Division, via Petersburg, and with this direction it will follow me if we should move from here.

Tell Pa to write to me soon.