Camp 3 miles Beyond Kelleys ford

Monday Nov 9th 1863

“We have fought in a couple more Battles in the army of the Potomac one was on Saterday [sic] & the other was fought yesterday what was accomplished yesterday I have not yet learnt the one on Saterday [sic] was a decided success to us the Rebs lost a great Number in killed & wounded & we took about 22 hundred prisoners besides driveing [sic] them into the River & drowning a good many of them & 9 pieces of artillery”. Hasn’t answered her letter because they have been moving and have had no chance and no way to send it. Cold and first snow of season. Doesn’t know where they are going but “I think we are going to follow the enemy up we are ocupying [sic] the grounds that they have left & 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 & he was writeing home (a Rebel) & 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 to Back the 8 days Rations yet it seems as if we can not advance this way a great ways farther for the Rail Road is a complete Ruin all the way along & that is the only way we can get our supplies.” The track is all torn up and burned. Tom just got mail with a package with gloves and a couple hankerchiefs. They are going to put Tom in the invalid corps and this is probably the last move he will make because he is not fit for field service. “oh how I wish this terible [sic] slaughter would end & we have the Privelage [sic] of Returning to our homes & families.” “Old Gen Garrard was engaged in the fight of Saturday but he came out all right”. Closing.