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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.

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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 fiew lines. My health is very good & I hope theese fiew lines may find you enjoying the same blessing. For the last two or three days we have been exspecting a fight. The enamy advanced on our cavelry last Sunday at Culpeper C.H. & drove them back after a sleght engagement to the Rapidan River. We recieved orders Sunday night at one OClock to cook one days rations & be ready to march at day light early Monday morning we ware marched down below

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O.C.H. for to await further orders. The enamy crossed the Rapidan at Raccoon ford. Gen Early with his devision drove them back I suppose it was nothing more than a Yankee raid trying to reconoiter our strengthe & position. Thare is many rumers afloat I know we are not settled yet I would not be serprised if we dont go to Fredericksburg evry thing seems to indicate a change of base. The grater portion of Longstreets corps; if not all; has left us for some point not known to me now Capt G. arrived yesterday evning with eight men; a heavy reinforcment for our com. We have the largest company in the Regt some fifty odd reported for duty. The boys all seem cher

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full; & willing to meet the enamies of our country on any field to dispute our rights with them I hope we may go back to our old camp & remain thare untill 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 evry night while we ware in camp The Rev. Mr Taylor of Staunton preached to us Monday evening I believe thare ware more than five thousand soldiers gathered under the sound of his voice eagerly listening to the words of light & life that seamed to flow from his lips at the same time we could hear the booming of the distant canon while he preached I prayed that the

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holy spirit might fall on us, as it did on the children of iseral on the day of pentecost & that thousands might thare make thare peace with God. Dear Kate when you recieve this no doubt you will say cold; so cold; but I would not have you think thus for thare is not a beat of my pulce but beats true to thee. O how often I think of the past when you ware by my side; my arms encircling you waist & you sweet lips gently prest to mine than I was happy; yes happy; as the gay warbler whilst they are singing thare notes of praise to thare 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