Franklin County: Thad Donely to Henry A. Bitner, January 20, 1863
January 20 1863
Camp Near Falmouth
Dear Friend
It is with pleasure
that I take up my pencil to write
you a few line to let you know
that I am well and I get along fine but today is very cold.
I was out on picket night
before last and was rather astonished when I
came in to get
a letter and such a fine lot of papers
it came very handy
and I am very much obliged
to you. There is not any thing
that would have suited me
better
at this time. Your letter
gave me great satisfaction
and I am glad that the singing
is getting
along so well. There
has been no snow here since
[page 2]
I came out but it has been hit by [unclear: time] and
cold but with the shelter we
have we get along right
well. A
few days ago we had
inspection of the whole
Corp it was a fine sight. Today
there was Division
Drill which was fine. There
is a move at
the present
and at this time they are moving by thousands towards
the Rappahannock
River and we are at this
time furnished
with 3 Day Rations and 60 rounds of
cartridge to move
at an early hour
tomorrow morning and before 48 hours
more there may be a very
heavy Battle fought. The Men are
somewhat
Depressed in spirits owing to the last defeat at
the River but yet they will go. I think
I shall be [unclear: along]
nothing happening
more than I know. It may be the last
letter I shall write to
you but we
hope for
the best if there
is a fight and I shall do my duty
if I know
how. There is
much that I could
write
at present
But I have not the time as the orders for to march just
came in a few minutes ago and I shall
write home yet today
and I shall close hoping that you will excuse me for
this time and my mistake hoping that you will write soon
to me and
remember me to your Parent and all
inquiring friends and I ever Remain
Your Humble Servant
Thad Donely
My kindest regards to all the young
folk at singing and if any of them
feel
Disposed to drop me a few lines I will
be happy to answer and tell all I
know of
old Virginia
and of war. The vast amount
of men and gun on the move today looks
as though we could get
across although
they are well fortified.
Yours Truly
Thad D
Please accept
my
thanks for the paper
you sent me and all that I can
wish is that I will be able to write more
to you in the future.
Address as usually
My Dinner
is
ready and I must eat.
I will inclose you a card
that was got
in Fredericksburg at the last fight[1]
I inclose some tobacco
seed[2]
Notes
[1] This postscript was written upside down in the upper
margin of page 1.
[2] This postscript was written down in the lower margin
of page 1.
