Franklin County: Thad Donely to Henry A. Bitner, January 20, 1863
Notes
Jan. 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 no
that I am well and I get a
long fine but today is very cold.
I was out on picket night
before last and was rather as-
tonished wne I
cam in to get
a letter and such a fine lot of papers
it came very handy
and I am very much obliged
to you their is not any thing
that would have suited me
beter
at this time your letter
gave me great satisfaction
and I am glad that the sing
is geting
along so well their
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 whe
have whe get along right
well a
few days ago whe had
inspection of the hole
Corp it was a fine sight to day
their was Division
Drill which was fine their
is amove at
the presant
and at this time they are moving by thousands towards
the Rappahack
River and whe are at this
time furnish
with 3 Day Rasions and 60 rounds of
cartridge to move
at an airely hour
to morrow morning and before 48 hours
more their may be a very
heavy Battle fought the Men are
some what
Depressed in spirits owing to the last defeat at
the River but yet they will go I think
I shall be [unclear: along]
nothing happing
more than I no it may be the last
letter I shall write to
you but but whe
hope for
the best if their
is a fight and I shall do my duty
if I no
how their I
much that I could
write
at presant
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 friend and I ever Remain
Your Humble Servant
Thad Donely
My kindes regards to all the young
folk at singing and if any of them
feal
Disposed to drop me a few lines I will
be happy to answer and tell all I
no of
old Varigin
and of war the vast amount
of men and gun on the move today looks
as though whe could get
a cross all though
they are will fortified.
Yours Truly
Thad D
Pleas except
my
thank for the paper
you sent me and all that I can
wish is that I will be able to rit mor
to you in the future.
Adrss as usualy
My Dinner
is
ready and I mus eat.
I will inclose you a card
that was go
in Fredricks
burg at the last fight[1]
I inclose some tobaco
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.
