No 7 Near Fredrickburg Dec 16 [1862]

Deare Wife I. write to Let no that
I. am alive and thanks be to God. Larst
Friday we started for Fredrickburg we
Crossed the Pontoon Brigge into the City
We Lay there on the side of river all day
All night next moring we was orderd
To fall in to march we marched in to
City the rebs began to shell the City
the fell all around us. about noon we
orderd on to feild of Battell we was
under a scorhing fire till after dark
I. think it was one the hardest Battel
We have had I. did not Git a scratch
We Lay under the Brow of the hill in
The mud we was had Git up and
Fire the shells Came so Neare me that
the mud filled my ears after dark
We marched to the City what we
Could fiend of the rigt. about
25 of us and slept in as small
house next moring went to the
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River and found the rest of
The rigtment Lay there all day
Sunaday night our BriGade went out
on Pickets on to the Battle feild
Close to the rebels Battary we Lay
there from Sunday night thill till
Monday night 24 hours we was
not aloud to Git up all that
time if we did they would Pop
At us they fird severl Volleys
At us but we did not return
it we Lay Low. After Dark we
Was releived All the Troops have
Left the City we are in our old
Camp but do not expect to stay
hear I received your Letter
N. 11 sunday and Lesters smart
Letter it was. bery Good I will
him one soon as I Can. we received
Our Pay wensday night about
12 oclo 12 oclock at night I sent
20 dollars by Mayor Fay of
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Chelsa I do not no how
you will Git it but I. expect
From Francis Ambler. Let me
no soon as you Can After you
Receive it All the old Spain
Boys are safe ordly Lamson
Was killed some more are mising
The Capt has not received his
Box but I have bought a Pair
Of Gloves of the sutler for 50 ct
If yow had sent them by maill
I should Get them we receiwed
Our money to the first of Nov
23 dollars 80 cts I think you
Will Git it saf we dare not
Keep it with for we expected
to Go in Battle send me a Pocet
Pocket henchchief by maill I
I. mist Close for the maill Goes
Soon Soon my Cough is better
Good by All
James Pratt