Waterford VA

July 18th 1863

Dear Sister

With pleasure I embr
ace the present opportunity of wri-
ting you a few lines in answer
to yours of July 5th which came
to hand in good time.
This leaves myself and the
boys generally in good health
hope it may find you and
friends the same.
You have doubtless heard all
about the campaign in Md
and Pensylvania and the retr-
eat of the rebels into Va so it
would be useless for me to
say anything about it
Our regtt was lucky enough
to get out of the first days
fight and after the first day
[page 2] our corps was not engaged
They lost very heavy being rus-
hed into the fight without any
support & they were driven back
with heavy loss. Our Brigade (five
small regiments) lost seven hun
dred and forty. I think it was
well enough that Hooker was
removed as soon as he was. he
is too much of a dashing & goah-
ead& before he knows where he
is going to & General Meade
is a very cautious calculating
man disposed to look before
he leaps. Our troops commenced crossing
the river yesterday. We crossed this
morning at the same place we
did last fall. Lee is reported
to be going up the valley. I dont
know which way our army will
go but think the Rappahannock will be the scene of the coming
[page 3]
campaign. The news from
all sources is most cheering
It seems as though the rebs
would soon be brought to their
senses. I received a letter from
Henry last night he is getting
better. You appear to be very ignor-
ant in regard to military & I think
if old Morgan makes you another
visit you will have a chance to
learn however I will try and expla
in to you the duty of a sergeant
There are five to each company
They have charge of guards and
details see that gaurds are relie-
ved regularly and details do their
work according to orders, etc.
I am company commissary I draw
the rations and divide them
to the company. This is quite
a task and is hard to suit all
Perry & Bill Russell have gone
[page 4]
after Blackberries Bob King
has gone out to get something
to eat and I have to get
supper now I wish you could
look in and see us for we are
going to have something extra
Thank you for the invitation
to eat cherries but I expect we
have had more than you and
I know better ones. Well if you
get as tired reading this as
I have writing you will
wish I had quit sooner so by
requesting you to write soon
I will close my respects to all
enquiring friends yours as ever

Clay Elder