Augusta: William F. Brand to Amanda C. Armentrout,
September 16, 1863
Summary:
William writes to Kate that his health is good although his toe continues to
cause him trouble. He mentions troop movements around Culpeper Courthouse and
his thoughts about the Yankees.
Miss A. C. Armentrout
Greenville
Augusta County
Virginia
Miss A. C. Armentrout
Sept 16th 1863
Camp Near Orange C.H.
My Dear Kate
Once more I have the privilege of dropping you a few
lines. My health is very good & I hope these
few lines may find you enjoying the same blessing. For
the last two or three days we have been expecting
a fight. The enemy advanced on our cavalry last Sunday at Culpeper C.H. & drove them back after
a slight engagement to the Rapidan River. We received orders Sunday night at one OClock to cook one
days rations & be ready to march at day light early Monday morning we
were marched down below
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O.C.H. for to
await further orders. The enemy crossed the Rapidan at
Raccoon ford. Gen Early with his division drove them
back I suppose it was nothing more than a Yankee raid trying to reconnoiter our strength & position. There is many
rumors afloat I know we are not settled yet I
would not be surprised if we don't go to Fredericksburg every thing seems to
indicate a change of base. The greater portion of
Longstreets corps; if not all; has left us for some point not known to me now
Capt G. arrived yesterday evening with eight men; a
heavy reinforcement for our company. We have the largest company in the Regt some
fifty odd reported for duty. The boys all seem cheerful; & willing to meet the enemies of our country on any field to dispute our rights with them
I hope we may go back to our old camp & remain there
until the weather gets colder & I fear to if
we go on a long march that I could not stand it on account of my toe We had
preaching every night while we were in camp The Rev. Mr Taylor of Staunton preached to us Monday
evening I believe there
were more than five thousand soldiers gathered under the
sound of his voice eagerly listening to the words of light & life that
seemed to flow from his lips at the same time we
could hear the booming of the distant cannon while he
preached I prayed that the
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holy spirit might fall on us, as it did on
the children of Israel on the day of pentecost
& that thousands might there make their peace with God. Dear Kate when you receive this no doubt you will say cold; so cold; but I
would not have you think thus for there is not a beat
of my pulse but beats true to thee. O how often I think
of the past when you were by my side; my arms encircling
your waist & you sweet lips gently pressed to mine then I was happy;
yes happy; as the gay warbler whilst they are singing their notes of praise to their maker I must
soon close your Br is well I had a notion to close him up in his box &
send him home awhile to his fond & loving sisters my love to all good by
my best & dearest Kate
write soon to your
Willie
