Dear Parents,

It has been some time since I wrote to you last and we have been on the move most of the time since.  We are now about 3 miles northwest of Fredericksburg, Virginia.  I will name the places we have passed through so that you may know the route we have taken.  You must remember we are in the Reserve and move when Burnside’s headquarters do.  We have been in  the rear of the main army all the time.  We left Pleasant Valley two days after I wrote before.  We crossed the river at Berlin and encamped in Lovettsville.  We stayed there several days.  We left Sunday about noon.  We marched about 9 miles and then encamped.  The next day we prepared to move but did not.  The next day we moved to near Union.  We passed through Sponksville and Goose Creek Church.  The next day we reached Rectortown.   We stayed here two days.  We had a slight snowstorm.  The next day we marched within one mile of Warrenton.  The next morning we marched to within a few rods of the city and encamped.  This was Sunday.  We stayed till Saturday.  We marched from there to Catlett Station.  The next day we marched 9 miles towards Fredericksburg.  The next day we came within four miles of that city.  The next day we encamped on the North side of the city.

The enemy still holds the city.  We could see the enemy’s camp fires and baggage trains yesterday.  We moved back out of range of the enemy’s big guns which could be seen through a glass.  Whether the enemy will make a stand or not, I cannot tell.  Reinforcements are going all the time.  I expect Burnside will make a move soon.  Burnside is not so popular as McClellan among the troops except the Ninth Army Corps.  I like the regulars very well.  Artillery is easier than the infantry.

I saw the Regiment the other day and got the letter you wrote directed to the 21st.  Am glad to hear that you are all well.  I am well.  I got a paper dated Nov. the 1st.  I don’t think I do get all the papers.  You had better not send any more till we get to some place where we shall stop for some time, although I should like to get them to read if I could only get them.  We are in a very good camp.  Water is plentiful.  It is pretty cold here now.  We have had a rainstorm for a few days past.  It is clear and cool today.  We keep a good fire near our tent.  We have had pretty good food since I have been in the battery.  I have learned to make a great deal of good food out of what we draw.

If we don’t get paid till the 1st of January, I shall have 75 dollars to send home.  If you don’t want to use it very bad I wish you would put it in the bank. Ada, tell Ashley Mills that I will write to him soon.  I have no postage stamps now.  I had plenty but I lent them and thought that I should get paid before I should want them.  I wish you would send me a few in your next letter. Mr. Olney thinks that I have seen service enough to be a colonel.  Perhaps I have.  I know that I could handle a regiment better than some of the colonels that are coming out now but a man in my situation stands but little site of promotion.  He must have rich friends to blow for him and be pretty mean and get drunk pretty often.

Direct your next letter as I directed before.  I don’t think of any more to write, so goodbye.

My love to you all. 

This from your son,