Augusta: William F. Brand to Amanda C. Armentrout,
October 21, 1863
Summary:
William writes to Kate about the troops erecting their camp and bunks near Brandy
Station for their winter quarters and then having to move again after three
days. He mentions who he has heard is getting married back at home as well.
Miss Kate Armentrout
Greenville
Augusta County
Virginia
Miss Kate Armentrout
Oct 21th 1863
Camp near Brandy Station
My dear Friend
After so long an absence I again seat myself for the purpose of droping you a fiew lines My
health is very good and I hope this may find you enjoying the same Thare is no news of importance transpiering at presant along [added: the lines] I hope our fall campaign is over
& that we may soon go in to winter quarters We have had a rite severe campaign for the last two weeks I think we
will moove to some camp today we had orders last night
[page 2]
to moove this morning at nine oclock you
must parden me for not writing soon while on the march
thare was little or no chance to send letters back
and I was always so tired after the days march that I felt more like lying down
than writing I recieved yours of the 6 on the 8th
was truly glad to hear from you oh how I wished that I could come home for a
fiew days to see your Cousin and my friend united in
holy wedlock but alas I had to serve my country first; then wait on my friends;
since writing the above we have mooved our camp near
five miles. The boys are generally busy now policing & putting up bunks
we are campt two miles south of Brandy Station I think
we will stay hear
[page 3]
for some time we have a very nice camp; but the water is not very
good. You asked me questions in you first letter I neglected answering, hope it
is not to late now. I mess with my old messmates Trotter,
Abny, Grever, Hatten Britton & two Ruebushes, they all say it will not
do to brake up our mess while the war lasts hope that
may not be long. Tom is well he was unwell for a week or two. This march has
improved is health greatly John has been unwell for a day
or two but is getting something better Hunter is very unwell I think he is theatend with the fever. Capt is right unwell I
think he was sent to some private house today Jake is getting quite well again
he got along better through the campaign [deleted: better] than I
expected he would The boys will all recruit up now I hope.
[page 4]
I suppose
your cous Kate is married before this Oh how much I would like to have been
thare I know I could have had my own fun I wish
them much hapiness through this changing wourld of
ours. I recieved a letter from John B dated the 8th
he did not now what day it would come off I hurd that
John was to be a waiter. I was surprised to hear of your cous Fannie getting
married. Mr Baker is from Winchester is he not; I had thought that Capt Burke
was waiting on her if so I suppose she gave him the slide. I will not have room
or time to give you any of the perticulars of the
campaign as I have to do my part in policing our quarters; oh I wish I could be
with you for a while to tell you of the many pleasant dreams I have had about
you last nights in perticular Oh I hope the time
may soon come when I may have the pleasure of steeling a sweet kiss from your pure lips oh dear Kate I can never
forget you & would wish to never be forgotten by the ones that I think
as much of as my life I received your note enclosed in Jakes letter was truly
glad to hear from you. if I have omited any thing in
this please forgive write soon. I will write again as soon as we get fixed up in
our new camp
Good bye from yours only
