Camps Near Federicburg
December the 27 1862
Dear Father And mother And sister
I take the present oppertunity to
Let you know that I well at
present hoping when theas few
lines comes to hand they may find you
well I nothing mutch to write
to you only we had anice chrismus
I Started on picket chrismus day
and come in yestoday eaving
we was on the Raphannoc River
I cood see the yankee pickets on
the other Side I Saw a spring
that the water Run cross the
River threw a Spowt I tell you I
am living and learning ever
day there is some talk of us
coming back to north
North Carolina I dont weather
it is so or not we hant got
new much I want to know
how your corn turn owt and
how your hogs is fating
and how mutch wheat you
Soad
[page 2]
Dear mother I can inform
yow that I had new pare
of pant it look like [????]
I tell yow I have got
a good Suit
So no more at
present

To thomas
Brotherton

Dear sister I want yow
you to Right to me
weather yow got
done shuckin or not

to Eliz