“We took about 22 hundred prisoners, besides driving them into the River and drowning a good many of them, and 9 pieces of artillery”

Camp 3 miles beyond Kelly’s Ford VA

Monday, November 9, 1863

Dear Clara,

I am well at present and hope these few lines will find you all the same at home. We have fought a couple more battles in the Army of the Potomac. One was on Saturday and the other was fought yesterday. What was accomplished yesterday, I have not yet learnt. The one on Saturday was a decided success to us. The Rebs lost a great number in killed and wounded and we took about 22 hundred prisoners, besides driving them into the River and drowning a good many of them, and 9 pieces of artillery.

I have not answered your letters because we have been moving and have had no chance to send any if I did. I believe I have got two letters from you since I last wrote. I am not certain that I can mail this one that I am writing, but I will send it the first chance that I get. While I am writing, it is snowing and it is very cold and chilly. It is the first snow we have seen this season.

What we are going to do now I cannot tell, but I think we are going to follow the enemy up. We are occupying the grounds that they have left and where they meant to stay this winter. They had splendid log huts built, all ready for winter. One of our Boys found an unfinished letter in one of the cabins and he was writing home (a Rebel) and he wrote that we (the Yanks) had fallen back around Washington and the fighting was over in Virginia. But our shells had the effect to induce him to believe that all the Yanks was not gone yet, for he must of left his letter in great haste. Everything shows how they was surprised by leaving things behind them.

We have got back to the 8 days rations, yet it seems as if we can not advance this way a great ways farther for the railroad is a complete ruin all the way along, and that is the only way we can get our supplies. The railroad track is all torn up and carried off and the ties are all burnt and it will take a long time to repair it again.

The mail has just came in and Tom has received a package with gloves and a couple of handkerchiefs. I guess they are going to put Tom in the Invalid Corps. I think this is the last move he will make with us. He is not fit for field service and they are going to send him out of it.

I sincerely hope this may find you all well at home. Oh, how I wish this terrible slaughter would end and we have to privilege of returning to our homes and families. I can not write much more news for I have not room. We have been moving for 3 days past and all our Regt. are safe and sound. Old Gen. Garrard was engaged in the fight of Saturday but he came out all right.

Give my love to all inquiring friends, to father, mother, sisters and brothers and take good care of yourself and little ones. May God spare us to meet again, my dear Clara. Goodbye for now.

From your husband with much love,

Sergt. P.L. Dumont

P.S. We are liable to move at any moment

A kiss to all [encircled]