Stafford Court House Va. Feb 10th /63
“Lydia,,
Yours of the 1st came to hand on
yestarday, and found me in good health as usu-
al. We are still in camp at Stafford, But not
acting as Provost guards as Col. has been
relieved, part of our Regt are at Dumfries
yet, All cavalry are to be under command
of Gen. Stoneman he can dispose of them
as he sees fit, we have to get in to the same
brigade [??] 7th & 29th Ohio Regts, Col. Candy
is very well suited with the “Bloody Sixth,,
Mud splendid yet no prospects of a move
soon unless we should go to Tennesee or
Kentucky the 9th Armey Corps has gon
from here where I dont know,, The prevolent
oppinon here is that the war will wind up in the
spring or it will be reduced to a more settled
affair some of the volunteers be sent home
and keep U.S. troops in the field, But I think
it has been to settled already not enough of
git,, to finish the thing through nor do I think
it will and in the [spring?] neither do I care how
long they run the matter now. I enlisted for
3 years or during the War and I am
good for the [Rent?], if it should last 10 years
wer paid yestarday 2 months pay, would like
to send it home but think it unsafe. Expect
pay again in March and will send it then
[page 2]
if no chance [??] before Some of our boys are
expecting to go home on furlough this week if they
go I will send you the money As I have no use
here for it here. That interest on note was allright
no harm done [??] please send me a little
black pepper (ground) in your next letter you can
put up a little in a paper just as garden
seeds are put up and put in a letter
Dont send to much now so your letter will
be lost. I never said I did not want to come
home,, nor that I dinnot want to see you
but I think it all folly for a man that is well
and his busness all strait at home to go there
and be to the expense all for nothing that would
benefit either of us (Am I Not right)
Cale got no pay this time. George is getting
better sloley. Who lives in the Howley House!
Where is Widow Howley. Who lives in J.R. Fells
old House, Has Tom moved over to Teryville,
Has Kol Rising moved over ther or going to
this spring, Does Dick intend to make cheese
this Summer, Where is Frank & Alie Beech
Where is all the folks in jineral or ever body in
particular that is what I am trying to find
out as you folks at home never write any thing
that we care much about. Are all the folks
in Vernen Dead as I dont hear from them
Ed has not wrote to me since he went west
Your Mother & Emma boath owe me a letter
Rip. Van. Winkle
You may think I am inquisitive but I am bond to know if I can