4th North Carolina Letter

[Suppelsa]

Re: 4th North Carolina Letter

CAMP FOURTH NORTH CAROLINA REGIMENT
NEAR PETERSBURG, VA., Jan. 29, 1865.

My Dear Folks:
I received your letter dated the 20th inst., yesterday, which made nine days that it has been on the way.
Last week we spent on the front lines doing picket duty in the place of Scales Brigade which has been sent off. We had an awful time; the whole week it rained, and sleeted part of the time, and the rest of the time it kept up the coldest wind that I ever felt. The men on vidette had to be relieved every half hour, to keep them from freezing. One man in our regiment got so cold he could hardly talk when he was relieved. On the right of our brigade, the Yankees were some six or eight hundred yards off, but on the left we were near enough to talk to each other in an ordinary tone of voice, though we were not allowed to speak to them or to communicate with them in any way. We had two men to desert our regiment and go to the enemy. They were two brothers. I am afraid we will have more desertions in the spring than we have ever had yet. The men are getting very must dissatisfied. The Consolidation Bill, which is to be carried into effect shortly will cause a good deal of desertion among our best soldiers. I am afraid our company and regiment will lose their name after all the hard service which we have done since the commencement of the war. There are a good many peace rumors circulating through camp, which gives the men something to talk about. I fear it will all end in another summer’s hard fighting. If Blake comes by home, when he starts back, you may send me gallon of peas and some potatoes. You need not send me anything that you will have to buy. I expect we draw as much meat here in the army as you can afford to eat at home. I home something will turn up by spring which will enable me to go home. I should like very much to see a good crop growing on our little places. What does brother intend doing in case the war continues? I hope he will never have to go. If he does, anything is preferable to infantry in the field.
Give my love to all.

Yours affectionately,

WALTER

[Suppelsa]

Re: 4th North Carolina Letter

CAMP COX’S BRIGADE, NEAR PETERSBURG, VA.,
February 14, 1865.

My Dear Mother:
I would have written on receipt of your letter and box, which you sent me, but the troops were off at the time and there was no means of mailing a letter. Our division was ordered down on the extreme right last Sunday a week ago, to meet the Yankees at Hatcher’s Run. Our division was not engaged; the other two divisions of our corps did some fighting before we got there. The troops were gone for about a week, and they suffered considerably from the cold. It was snowing and sleeting when they left. I missed the pleasure of that trip. I have been permanently detailed at brigade headquarters in charge of a guard, to guard quartermaster’s stores, and all things generally among the wagon yards. I have three in charge, and all I have to do is to see that they do their duty. We have our quarters separate, and nothing to do but keep up one post at night. We have no other duty whatever to do, not even to answer to roll call. Capt. Jones, our A.A. General, who gave me the detail, told me to select my own men, so I took one from our company, so that I might have an agreeable bedfellow and messmate. George Winstead is his name. Wiley Winstead’s brother. I am just as comfortably fixed now as I could wish to be out here. I shall miss all the trips the troops will have to make over the winter, such as picket duty, and all raids to head off the “Yankees” unless we break up this camp entirely. Our brigade goes on picket this morning, Saturday. I am very much obliged to you for the box of provisions.
I expect there is a movement on hand now, as there is an order to issue three day’s rations to the men. Marching orders do not trouble me so much now, as the guard is always apt to guard the forage, etc., which is left in camp. I think of home every time I take out my little ball of butter to eat with a roasted potato at night before bed time. George Winstead got a few potatoes from home the same day my box came. I generally spend most of my time reading whatever I am able to borrow. I wish I could get something that would be more useful to me than novels. I hope Blake got my shawl home all safe. Give my love to all the family. Dossey has just been in to see me on his way back to camp. He has been to Petersburg on business for Gatson. He is very well.
Your sincere and affectionate son,

WALTER

[Suppelsa]

Re: 4th North Carolina Letter

WAGON YARD, COX’S BRIGADE, NEAR
PETERSBURG, VA., March 23rd, 1865.

My Dear Mother:
I received your letter, bearing the date of March 14th, a few minutes ago. It seems that about nine days is the average length of time for a letter to come from home here. I wrote you a letter just before we left the old camp, which you have doubtless received ere this. We have moved twice since I wrote that letter. After the first move, we were temporarily attached to Mahone’s Division, the last move we made we joined our own division, which is in the entrenchments in front of Petersburg. Our Brigade is on the extreme left of it, between the Appomattox River and Swift Creek, with the river between us and the Yankees.
I have not been down on the lines since we last moved, but I hear that it is a very good place, inasmuch as we will hardly be attacked in our front as long as we stay there. I am still staying with Capt. Faircloth in the Q.M. Department, but when the campaign opens, I expect to go back to the company, as every man that can handle a gun will be needed there. Richmond and Petersburg have not been evacuated yet, tho’ there is still rumors that the latter place will be. The papers are not allowed to publish and war news, so we are as completely ignorant as you are as to what is going on. I am very uneasy for fear that Sherman’s army will not be checked before we have to evacuate Richmond and Petersburg. If that army could only be whipped, and it must be, or we can’t stay in Virginia, I would feel confident of the final results. There are a good many of our soldiers deserting to the enemy, but I am in hopes we will have enough left to keep the Yankees in check on this line. I feel a good deal of anxiety on account of Cullen’s having to go in service so soon. I would not have him join this regiment for anything. If he can not obtain a better place, I will try and get him into Manley’s Battery from Raleigh, which, if he does have to go into active service right away, will be the best place I can think of. It is on the lines, some two miles to our left, where it has been about ten months, without losing a man in battle. If he was in that company, he would see a much easier time than he would in Infantry, being small, he would be very apt to be made a driver and in time of fights hold the horses in the rear, or in some place where they can be sheltered. What time will he be seventeen? Write to me as soon as you receive this, and let me know what he thinks about it. In the meantime, I will go over to Manley’s Battery and see if I can get him in. I fear it will be full, as I know a good many young men who joined on coming seventeen. It is a very good company and composed of a great many very nice men. I knew some of them before the war. I am intimately acquainted with all of the officers. Baz Manley is Capt. Bunny Guion, James Powell and James McKimmon, is the Lieutenant, all from Raleigh. Tell Cullen to take my advice and never join this Regiment as long as he can avoid it. However much I would like to have him with me. I am giving him this advice for his own good. Please think about the matter and write me immediately. Give my love to all the family. Where is sister? Is she at Wilson? I will write again in a few days, probably before I hear from you. Tell Cullen to write when you do. Goodbye.
Your affectionate son,

WALTER

[Suppelsa]

Re: 4th North Carolina Letter

Richmond, VA., July 22, 1861.

My Dear Mother:
As George wrote two or three times since I have, I told him I would write when I got to Richmond . The first thing I knew this morning was that he was writing home, so I told him to leave some room for me and I would write some in his letter.
There is not much to write, as we are about four miles from the center of the center of the city. We don’t hear any news, though we heard yesterday that they were fighting at Manassas Gap all day. We heard none of the particulars. Captain Rather expects to leave to-day, but I do not think we will. Col. Anderson came along with us. We left half the regiment at Camp Hill (five companies). My opinion is that we will stay here until the other five companies come, and all of us leave together.
David Carter and little lawyer Marsh are both captains in our regiment. George got the bundle you sent him yesterday. We are enjoying camp life now to perfection. Heretofore we have to had a plank floor, but now we pitch our tents, spread our blankets on the ground and sleep as sound as you please. I never slept better in my life than last night. If it stops raining this morning I expect to up town shopping, and if I have time I want to have myself and George’s likeness taken together and send it home, as you may never see either of us again.
I can’t tell you anything about Richmond yet, as we have not seen any part of it except one street, that was about four miles long, and led out of town to our camp. We are much obliged for the bed quilts.
They do us a great deal of good. We do not trouble ourselves to carry them, but roll them up in our tents. We got blankets before we left our camps. Some of them were to finest I ever saw. I was detailed to give the blankets and knapsacks out, so I kept the best out for all the boys in our tent. They are so fine and nice I hate to spread them on the ground.
Fitzgerald, Henry Warren, Billy Barnes, Tom Stith, George and myself compose the inhabitants of our tent. We have a very respectable crowd. I like it much better than being in a room with the whole company. As we are we have just as nice and quiet a time of it as if we were in a private room.
Give my love to sisters, and believe me, as ever, your sincere and affectionate son,

WALTER

P.S. I don’t know where to tell you to direct your letters in future, as it is uncertain how long we stay here.

[Suppelsa]

Re: 4th North Carolina Letter

Manassas Junction, August 23, 1861.

My Dear Mother,
We received your letter this morning when John Clark came. George wrote a day or two ago, which you had hardly received when you last wrote. There is no news of any kind worth writing. George and myself are both well at present. It has been raining here for nearly a week, and it is tolerably cool. This morning was very cool and chilly. It begins to feel like winter is fast approaching. You spoke of sending us some winter clothing. We would be very glad to have a good supply, as we shall suffer if not well clothed in this cold country. I can almost imagine now how cold it will be on top of these high hills when the winter winds come whistling around them. The following list of clothes will be as many as we shall need and can take care of conveniently. Two pairs of thick woolen shirts each, such as can be worn either next to the skin or over other shirts; two pairs of red flannel drawers each, and some woolen socks, that is everything we will need for the present. You can send them by express, and we shall get them. You need not attempt to come see us, for it will be impossible for you to get here. Men are not even allowed to come after their sons to carry them home when they die with sickness in the service. I tell you this to save you the trouble and expense of coming so far and then having to go back without seeing us. It is a great deal harder to get back after you get here than it is to come.
Ed Harris is now here with us, he came day before yesterday. He will leave in the morning, and I shall send this letter by him. He got here through the influence of some members of Congress of his acquaintance in Richmond.
Give my love to all. Tell them to write often and let us hear all the news.
Good bye

Your devoted son,

WALTER

P.S. Please name my dog Nero and try to make him of some account. What is sister’s address?

Re: 4th North Carolina Letter

I'm not 100% certain this is the man, but I did a quick search at Ancestry.com and located a probable match.
Walter R. Battle, born abt 1840 to Amos I. & Margaret Battle In the 1850 census they are living in Chowan County, NC. He died of a "brain inflamation" in Wilson Co, NC in Nov., 1870.

[woodsda]

Re: 4th North Carolina Letter

There is actually a book published that has there letters, "As You May Never See Us Again: The Civil War Letters of George and Walter Battle, 4th North Carolina Infantry " by Joel Craig and Sharlene Baker.

Don Woods

[Suppelsa]

Re: 4th North Carolina Letter

UNITED STATES PRISONERS CAMP,
POINT LOOKOUT , MD. , Sept. 29, 1864.

My Dear Mother:
At the battle of Winchester, fought the 19th of this month, myself, together with seven others of our company, were captured, namely Henry Warren, Emerson Winstead, Pat Wooten, Bunyan Barnes, Edwin Barnes, Bryant Stokes, and Joel Taylor. All of us are in very good health. All of us have written although some of our letters may be lost. Give my love to all the family. Please write as soon as you receive this. Direct me care of Major Brady, Provost Marshal. Let me know whether Blake was killed or wounded. Goodbye, believe me as ever.
Your sincere and affectionate son,

WALTER

[Suppelsa]

Re: 4th North Carolina Letter

CAMP FOURTH NORTH CAROLINA REGIMENT,
NEAR PETERSBURG , January 18, 1865.

Dear Sister:
I send by the boy Church , a pair of shoes and a pair of socks. Brother can have the shoes fixed up and wear them. I guess they will fit him. I never expect to wear them again. The socks only need a little darning to make them serviceable. I shall let you know when I shall need any more. The book I send is a pretty story of the present war. Everything seems to be unusually quiet. I understand picket firing has been stopped on the lines. We haven’t heard any for several days, neither have we heard any cannonading. The peace question is all the excitement in camp now. From what I saw in the “Examiner” this morning I think myself there is something in the wind. I do hope peace will be made before spring. The men are getting very discouraged, and to tell the truth, they have cause to be. Some of our regiment was down on the lines Sunday, and they say the troops not had any meat for five days. If the men are not fed they will not stay with the army. They are deserting from the lines every night, and going the Yankees. Don’t send me anything else that you will have to buy, or need before the end of the year. We expect to go on picket this coming Sunday, to be gone a week. My love to all.
Your devoted brother,

WALTER

[Suppelsa]

Re: 4th North Carolina Letter

FORT MACON , N.C. , April 19, 1861


Dear Mother:
Our company arrived here this morning at 8 o’clock. We had to stay at Beaufort last night, the water being too rough to carry us over last night. I intended to have written last night while at Beaufort, but we were so completely worn out with hollowing, etc., that all of us got to bed as soon as possible, which was about 12 o’clock. We have been employed a little while this morning carrying barrels, etc. It was raining the whole time. They make no difference here for rain or anything else.
There is only about two or three hundred men here as yet. There are more men expected daily. Our company is the largest, the best looking (so said by the men here), that there is in the fort.
George and Tom Stith are down on the beach shooting porpoises. I had to borrow this piece of paper to writhe to you, George having the paper in his valise.
The company has this evening to look around. Tomorrow we have to commence drilling. George has just come in. He says he had lots of fun, and told me to tell you that he would write to you tomorrow. He found a good many curious looking shells which he has put in his valise, to carry home. Blake asked me to say Mr. Rhodes that he is very well satisfied, indeed. The whole company is enjoying themselves very much. I will write to you again as soon as I hear from you. Please write to me often. Direct to Fort Macon , care of Capt. Jesse Barnes.

Your affectionate son, till death,

WALTER

Re: 4th North Carolina Letter

CAMP IN WINTER QUARTERS, NEAR ORANGE
COURT HOUSE, January 10, 1864

My Dear Mother,
I recieved your letter by mail, also the one you sent by Mixson. We were on picket at the time. Mixson got here to-day (Sunday) week. We got back from picket last night, having spent one week on the banks of the Rapidan. We had two snows during the time, each one two or three inches deep. Though we did not suffer as one would suppose, who does not how how to fix up. My little Yankee tent came into requisition, so did my visor; you can't imagine the comfort there is in it while exposed to cold north winds. I thought I had written to you how I liked it. I used to think I wouldn't wear one, now I wouldn't be without it for anything. You say you wish I was in the office again. I do not. Though I was never allowanced while there for something to eat, there were other things equally as disagreeable. I got enough to eat now, but none to waste and I feel much better satisfied. Our meat has been cut down to a quarter of a pound and they give us sugar, coffee, rice, and sometimes dried fruit. We eat up everything they give us and feel hungry all the time. When they only give us a quarter of a pound of meat and a tin cupful of flour, it is not enough for a hearty man, but when they give us rice, peas, etc., we can make out very well. Peter Christman got a letter from his father yesterday, saying he was going to start with a load of boxes to-day (Sunday) week. I suppose he will come in May Warren's place. I need not tell you what to send me, for I know you will be certain to send me as much as I could ask for. I don't wish for you to send me anything that is scarce or high priced. Let it be something that you have plenty of, so that you will not miss it. The things that you sent by Mixson came in very good time. He sent me some meat and potatoes while on picket. You can send me a little of that nice meal, if you have it to spare. You need not send any sage, just send a few pods of red peppers to boil with beef once in a while, when we can draw it. I don't suppose we will draw much more beef until next Spring. Please don't forget to send a small case knife, a fig stem for pipe, the size of your middle finger, about six inches long.
I am very well supplied with winter clothing of every kind at present. Just drawn a splendid pair of English shoes. The trip down the river cut my others all to pieces. I did want to send a pair of English shoes to brother, but it seems that I can't get ahead so that I can do so. If we didn't have any picket duty to do this winter, we should be just as comfortable as I could wish. But we have to go eight miles off every fifth week and spend the time out doors, don't make any difference what kind of weather it is. I don't suppose we shall have to go more than two or three times, though before we shall start on our next Spring's campaign, wherever that may be. Tell Bob to write whenever you do and let me know how he is getting along himself. Give my love to all the family, also to Puss whenever you write to her. Write as soon as is convenient and believe me, as ever,
Your sincere and affectionate son,

WALTER

Re: 4th North Carolina Letter

CAMP NEAR MORTON'S FORD, VA.,
December 3rd, 1863

My Dear Mother:
I know you are anxious to hear from me, so I thought I would write, if not but a few lines, to let you hear from me and to know that I was well and safe. We left this place to-day was one week ago. That night at 3 o'clock we left and went down the river towards Germanna Ford, where the Yankees have crossed in heavy force. We got there late in the evening, and had some very sharp skirmishes with them before night. We were in line of battle all night; just before day we fell back a short distance and established our line of battle and commenced throwing up our breastworks in the coldest kind of a rain. We were in a old field on top of a hill, where the wind came with all its fury. The smoke from our fires was almost enough to kill a man. We were in that condition, expecting an attack by the Yankees day or night. We have to keep all of our things on all the time and on-half of the men up all night, in case of an attack. Yesterday morning we commenced moving about 2 o'clock, and at daylight we dicovered that the Yankees had retreated across the river. Our Brigade was ordered to the front and we commenced taking a few stragglers and by ten o'clock we have taken (from the looks of them as we passed them this morning) three or four hundred. They were the poorest Yankees I ever saw. They did not have one mouthful to eat and said they had not had any in four days. They stated as an excuse that our cavalry had captured their wagons. Several of them offered me $2.00 a piece for crackers, but I told them we were rationed up for two days and I could eat everything in my haversack in one, so I could not spare them. I told them that they would draw something to eat pretty soon.
One of them gave me his knapsack and everything in it and then very politely aske me if I could spare him a cracker. I could not refuse him, for the things that he gave me unsolicited were very valuable. A pair of new shoes and a Yankee tent are things money will not buy. I would not take $25.00 for my tent which he gave me. They are large enough for two, and so light that you can roll them in your knapsack and not feel the weight at all. I could have gotten more little Yankee camp conveniences than I could carry, but we were then in line of battle, charging through the woods and I did not wish to bungle myself up too much. I do not know how long we shall stay here, but its my opinion, not long. I hope it will be long enough for us to get rested and recruited again before we set out for another march. Tom Stith brought all the things which you sent by him, including the letters. I am too tired and worn out to write an interesting letter. I merely wrote to set your mind at ease. As soon as I can cook something I shall try to go to sleep. I haven't slept more than an hour at any time for nearly a week. My love to all. Write soon to your

Sincere and affectionate son,

WALTER

Re: 4th North Carolina Letter

Sorry about the long delay, but I had to prepare for exams.

CAMP NEAR MORTON'S FORD, VA.,
November 11th, 1863


My Dear Mother,
We are once more on our same camp on the Rapidan, which we left just a month ago. We had just begun to be comfortable in our winter quarters on the Rappahannock when the Yankees run us out. Last Saturday, about ten o'clock, the Yankees attacked our picket line on the river, composed of the Second and Thirtieth N.C. Regiments of our Brigade, driving them back, taking a great many of them prisoners. Col. Cox, of the Second, was badly wounded and afterwards died. The attack was a perfect surprise.
We had just drawn a large supply of winter clothing of every kind, and the men were just trying them on when we were ordered to fall in, which we did in double quick time, making for the river line of battle with our sharpshooters in front. Twas not long before we came on their skirmishers and a brisk fire commenced, which lasted until dark. Our two lines of battle laid within speaking distance until 12 o'clock that night, when we were very quietly withdrawn, half hour afterwards our sharpshooters followed and we took up our line of march until sun rise, when we were drawn up in line of battle, we stayed until two or three o'clock. The Yankees not coming on us, we started on the march again and never stopped till we crossed the Rapidan. We ate our breakfast Saturday morning in our winter quarters and did not draw a single mouthful to eat, or have any rest except when we were in line of battle (and then we were hard at work throwing up breastworks), until Monday night, ten o'clock. We waded the Rapidan about nine o'clock the same night. I think it was the hardest time we ever had, nothing to eat, accompanied with the hardest marching we ever did. All of our things were left in our winter quarters, expecting to go back there, but we did not, so we lost a good many things which we left behind. I happened to take my shawl and my oil cloth along with me, which I saved. I lost my two blankets, a pair of cotton drawers, pair of socks, which I had just drawn ( I did not draw anything else of the new clothing, which I am glad of, for I should have lost them). I also lost my knapsack, tin plate, tin cup, etc. I saved my overcoat, with all the things you sent by Condon. That scrape has taught me a lesson. I'll bet I never leave anything else of mine behind. I don't care where we are ordered to.
Try and get Tom Stith to put the following things in with his own baggage: That worsted shirt, flannel shirt, flannel drawers, two pair socks, please send me a comb, coarse one, also a towel. Tom Stith will be the judge of what he can bring besides those things. Tell him we are at the same camp that Henry Warren came to us at. If I have any time I will write to him tomorrow. We have just as much to do now as we can attend to. We are on picket every third night (Nov. 12). We moved camp this morning about half a mile nearer our picket line. Cannonading is occasionally heard on the other side of the river. I don't know what we will be doing, or where we will be tomorrow this time. I am perfectly willing for the Yankees to cross here, for I think we will whip them worse than we ever did at Fredricksburg. I shall be on picket tonight. I've got to go to work and get something to eat to carry with me.
Give my love to all. As ever,

Your sincere and devoted son,

WALTER

Re: 4th North Carolina Letter

ON MARCH NEAR RAPPAHANNOCK STATION, VA.,
October 18,1863.

My Dear Mother:
I recieved your very welcome letter and did intend on answering it last evening, but we were ordered to move, which prevented me from doing so. We left Rapidan about the 7th inst., and have been on the march ever since, and I believe it has been the hardest for the length of time that we ever had. It was what might be termed a "flank movement" in every sense of the word. We marched through woods, fields and across branches, creeks, and rivers as we came to them, only a few hours behind the Yankees all the time. Last Thursday we were drawn up in line of battle before day, and our Division, with our sharpshooters in front, drove the Yankees through the woods and fields for two or three miles. Our sharpshooters killed and wounded a great many. Our Brigade took thirty or forty prisoners. A day or two before that we suprised a corps of Yankees in camp, hurrying them off rather unceremoniously. We got our haversacks filled with crackers, which we very much needed, though we haven't suffered for anything to eat on the march. Gen. Ramsieur is very attentive to his men in that respect. Day before yesterday we were in four miles of Mannassas. I did wish that we might go that far. I wanted to see the old place so much.
The rumor is that Gen. Lee has accomplished everything he intended, that is, to drive the Yankees back and tear up this railroad, which we are doing to perfection; but for the grading and bent iron you would not know that there ever was a railroad along here. We cut down the telegraph wire also, and carried that along with us. We stopped on the march to-day, about 10 o'clock, after marching about eight miles. What it is for, I can't tell. I suppose something is the matter with the road ahead, or probably the bridge over the Rappahannock needs repairing. It is now 4 o'clock. I expect we shall move nearer the river to camp, however it does not make much differance where we stop, as we have rations up till tommarow evening. I wish you could have seen us cooking up three day's rations the other night, before attacking the Yankees the next day. We have flour and beef to cook and only about half the night to cook them in, without cooking utensils. We made up our dough on our gun cloths and cooked it on barrel staves and heads. You would be surprised to see how nice bread can be cooked on a ram rod. I think it is the sweetest bread that I ever ate. I think there must be something in the appetite also. Our beef we broiled on griddle irons made of telegraph wire. I think I was the first in our regiment to make one; since then nearly every man has one along with him. Col. Grimes detailed a blacksmith and sent him to me to get mine to make him one like it. He said it was the most useful thing he had seen. We cook bread on them also. Speaking of Col. Grimes, he just recieved a furlough to-day, and will leave for North Carolina in a few days. Dr. Thompson has not arrived yet, nor have we heard from him. I think the fall campaign is about over and I hope we will go into winter quarters somewhere on the railroad. I do want some sweet potatoes so much. Give my love to all the family, and believe me as ever,
Your devoted son,
WALTER

P.S. I am truly glad that Dr. Harrel has got a position as surgeon. I hope he will be pleasantly situated. Please look in the watch pocket of my black satin vest, get my lip salve box, fill it with salve and send it in your next letter. This mountain wind keeps my lips split all to pieces. Tell Mr. Rhodes, Blake says he got the $30.00 safely; much obliged to him. I believe I will send you a Yankee letter that I picked up the other day in the woods while we were pursuing them. I don't think peace is so near at hand as he does. Much obliged for this envelope and paper, you got an answer sooner than you otherwise would, there is no sutler along with us and none of the boys carry such things with them, they cost so much, and the first rain would ruin them.

Re: 4th North Carolina Letter

CAMP NEAR MORTON'S FORD,
ON RAPIDAN RIVER, October 5, 1863.
My Dear Mother,
I recieved your letter of the 23rd yesterday while on picket duty and it seems to me from the way in which you write that you did not recieve my last letter. I don't think that it has been two weeks since I wrote you; 'Twas soon after Henry Warren got back. We are in the same camp we were when Henry came. Our Brigade does picked on the river at Morton's Ford. We (that is, our Regiment) have to go on every fourth night. Night before last was a terrible night, cold and rainy, and the wind was pretty cutting. Our line is on the river bank, in a cornfield. The Yankees are on the other side, some four hundred yards distance. We have no communication with them, it being against General Ramseur's orders. Battle's Brigade (Alabama troops) talk and exchange papers with them every day. They join our line above the ford. When we went on picket at the river we could hear the Yankee's drums by the hundred. They stopped all at once and we did not hear more than two or three for a whole week. Yesterday morning they opened with their drums again and from the number it would seem that they have a large army across the river. I think they tried to make us believe they had left, but they can't fool General Lee. We have orders for a week or more to keep two days' rations cooked and be ready to move at a moment's notice. I don't think we shall remain much longer at this camp.
Some half-dozen cannons were heard up the river yesterday. I suppose they were signal guns. A pretty good sign of movement. I hope we will soon do all the fighting that we expect to do this winter, and let us move into winter quarters. The orderly has just come around with orders to be in readiness to move, as the Yankees are advancing and we may probably leave this evening. All the preperation that I have to make is to look-up our day's rations of bread. As soon as we go into camp to stay any length of time, I shall be glad to get my flannel drawers. I will let you know. I hope Dr. Thompson will be well enough to come when his furlogh is out, and bring my overcoat, also a pair of socks, gloves (if you can find them) and a little box of lip salve. Tom Stith was waiting about a week before he got his things, which Henry Warren brought. He had to leave them at Orange Court House, as he had to foot it about eighteen miles. Col. Grimes got back a few days ago from North Carolina. He was married while home and he is now a canidate for congress, and I think he will probably be elected. I would like very much to be at home with you to eat some of that nice fruit which you have. Peaches here in camp sell for $2.00 per dozen, so we can't afford to eat as many as we want at that price, or it would take a months wages to pay for the treat. Blake said for me to tell you to please tell Mr. Rhodes to send him thirty dollars by Thompson, if this reaches you in time; if not, send it by mail. Tom Stith says to tell some of his folks not to send him any blanket as yet. He will let them know.
I am enjoying excellent health at present. Sometimes I am troubled with diarrohea, but I generally stop it by quit eating beef for a few days. Next time you write to Pussy, give her my best love and tell her I would like very much to see her. Give my love to all the family, and belive me, your sincere and devoted son,

WALTER

P.S. Much obliged for the paper and the envelopes.