Warrenton July 19 [1863]

Mr. Brackett
Dear sir [1]
with pleasure I take
my pen in hand to
write you a fiew lines
to inform you that we
went on a scout yesterday
down to the Rappahamcock
and skedaddled round
through the fields and
pastures but found nothing
in the shape of Rebels.
5 Co. went acrost the rivver
about 6 miles took 7 prisoners
that belonged to the 17th
Va. reg. (I think that was the
[page 2]
reg. he belonged to) he was
wounded in the arm and
was home on a furlough
and they got 2 guns and
besids that they got a
6 hors team and a nigger
driver and a white man
&c
we stoped and rested our
selves and horses in the
hansomest places I have
seen in Va. it has been a
resort for the Big Bugs in
hot weather the Sulfer springs
is one name for the place.
I’ll commence with the build-
ings the main house and
wings I should think was
from 200 to 300 ft. long I cannot
tell exactly how high it
was but some where 4 or 5
[page 3]
storys high and perhaps
50 ft to 100 ft. wide then
there was an other larg
house on the other side
of the road. back of the mane
building there was about 2 acrs
set out with trees and then
perhaps there was 25 small
houses round it for sick
folkes and darkeys there was a swing put
up for them to swing in
the springs wer fixed nice
there was a place about 25 ft.
acrost it dug down 5 or 6 ft.
then the bottom and sid
we all borded over it was
made 8 square stares to go
down and seats all round
there was 2 places where the
watter come in then there
was posts all round and a
[page 4]
roof and in the aposet
side from the stares was
a statute of a woman 5 ft
tall I should think well
I cannot begin to tell
how it all looked you
nu must judd for your
self.
We have shifted camp ground
since I wrote we are about
½ a mile from the village
in an oak grove it is a
great deal better thare the
open that we wer in before
there is one good thing
we have cool nights but
hot days most of the time.
I shouldent wonder if we
moved soon it has the
[continued in top margin page 4]
appearance of it they are
turning all the spare
saddles horses &c. over to the 2. Me. [2]
so you are all a lone and not
vary well sorry for that was
in hopes you would be so tough
[continued at top of pages 2 and 3]
as a bull I hear they are
going to draft tomorrow if
so I would like to pick some
of them out. wouldent you
our other 5 Co. have got here
come yesterday and I can tell you
[continud upside down in the top and left margin of page 1]
we wer glad to see them and
they wer glad to get back with
the rest of the reg. well my
sheat if is about full let us know
how the folks are when you
write. I must get my dinner
and then write to Hat W..
Alvin write soon