Camp near Orange C.H. Va
Dear Mit Sept the 10 1863
I Seat myself this morning
to write you A short letter for it seams
that I never shall get another I havent
received A letter Since Pappy left and I am
very anxious to heare from you all this leaves
me well and harty. thare is no news
circulating about heare that is worth writing
but I will tell you that wee had .General.
review yesterday it was A grand sean
thare was three Division out and those three
constistuted Genl Uels. corps. it was reviewed [Gen Richard Ewell]
by Genl. R.. E.. Lee our Division got the praise
but it was due us for wee had the likeless
Gene O.. and men also,.. thare was A good [General Officer?]
meny young girls out to see us and they saw
A grand sight for thare was several thousand
soldiers thare in three lines each line was
over A mile long the girls ar like the paper
sais they look at the mens coat collars to see
who has got the most stars and strips and
the one that got the most he the man for
them I dont blame them for I think A
good deal of them myself and they have A
right to do the same
[page 2]
and know Mit I must tell you something
about our big meetings which has ben going
on for several weeaks A great meny has
profest religion and A good meny morners yet
I saw 27 baptise last sunday and night
before last thare was 20 prosest religion and
last night I didnt go. Feling Best has prosest [Pvt. F. K. Best of Co. G]
and I pray that it may continue on untill
every one shall be converted in the brigade and
not only in this brigade but in the entire army
meetings are going on throught the hold army
as far as I can learn but such A meeting
I never saw as the one that is going on here
I would rejoise to here of such A one at the
old school house and you must write me all
the news about it this war would soon end
if the people would do better,
I must bring my short letter to A close as I
have nothing interesting to write so write me
word wether John Grisom are coming out here
or not and if he is tell him to come
sson and send me something more to eat
So I will close for this time nothing more
but remaining your Benevolent Brother

M A.E..Coghill.. ??> J..F..Coghill

Friday morning
Dear Ma Sept the 11: 1863
I intended to write you
A longer letter than this but for the want of paper
and time it is so that I cannot I went to preaching
last night wee had a splended meeting about 60 or
70 joined the church the meeting are still continued
So I close hoping to see you soon so I remain your affectionate
and Benevolent Son J..F..Coghill to my beloved Mother