Dear Parents,

I am alive and well yet and I hope you are the same.    We are in our old camp yet but the army has moved.  They are across the river and are fighting.  We can stand in our camp and see the smoke of the guns and hear the roar of the canon.

We left camp Tuesday afternoon and went about 8 miles to the left.  We stayed over night and came back to our camp in the morning.  Our captain is in command of all the “flying artillery”.  They all came with us. 

The army is attacking above Fredericksburg and below.  The troops did not have much trouble crossing the river.  I don’t think we shall leave camp until Fredericksburg is taken.  We will not have to go into any general engagement.  Stoneman has crossed the river in the vicinity of Kelley’s Ford and has gained the rear of the enemy and tore up the railroad and burned the bridges, with 30,000 cavalry and a few batterys.  I wonder that we are not with him.  It will be some time before we can get the truth of what is going on.  The fight is raging fierce.  Something will be done on one side or the other.  To all appearances, somebody will get killed if they don’t stop throwing lead and iron at each other.

It has been storming for several days past but today is warm and pleasant.  The country begins to look a little better.  I wish you would send me a dozen postage stamps in your next letter.  Please send me a small package by mail containing a handkerchief, colored, some black linen thread, 2 skeins of red thread, silk, a few needles of various sizes, a box of Unguentine, which will be very valuable this summer when we are on the march.  We are not always able to wash our clothes very week.   They are apt to get lousey.

Direct your letter next time to:  Horse Battery K, 1st U.S. Artillery, Artillery Reserve, Falmouth, VA, via of Washington, D.C.   I don’t think of much more to write.  I received your letter Tuesday.  I am glad that my money went home safe.  I am glad to hear that Ada is doing well.  I hope she will stay and like it.  I think her dress pretty.  Send my love to her.  I don’t think of much more to write.  My love to you all.

Goodbye for this time,