“While I am writing, heavy cannonading is going on close to us but I don’t know what it is”

New Camp, No name

[Monday,] October 26, 1863

Dear Clarinda,

I am well at present and hope these few lines will find you all the same. We left our camp at New Baltimore late on Saturday afternoon and marched 4 or 5 miles through mud and rain and halted for the night. Next day was Sunday, we started in the afternoon and marched about a mile to a new camp where we now are with 8 days rations on hand.

While I am writing, heavy cannonading is going on close to us but I don’t now what it is. The Orderly just told me that there was a mail going out at 5 o’clock, so I am writing this in a great hurry in order to get it in the next mail.

Hoping this may find you all well as it leaves me. I remain, your loving husband until death. Kiss the little ones for me. My love to all.

In great haste,

P.L. Dumont