Camp 23rd Regt N.C. Troops
Chemanak Ford Va
Sept the 27 1863
Dear Mit
I received your most welcome letter dated the 21
and I can asure you that its contents was read with great delight
I was glad to heare that Pappy was mending for I was very uneasy
about him as I couldnt hear from him. This leaves me well and
harty, I have no interesting news to write this morning as I know
but very little what is going on for our Brigade is about ten miles from
our army wee was sent heare to gard this ford know I will try and give you
the particular points of our travels cince wee left Orange CH. wee left
thare on the 24 and marched to Racoon Ford [crost?][???] in two miles
of it and took up camp thare wee expected to have A battle as the cannons
ware roaring like thunder but the yankes did not advance so wee staid
thare untill the 16 and then wee ware orded off to [base?] and go to [Worthams?]
Ford when wee arrived at the place wee formed A line of battle and I
was orded to the front the .Sharp. Shooters. then went on the margins of the
River that was on friday and I staid thare untill saturday night then I
was relieved the Division had in that time A very good breast works
that was on the 19 and on the 20 which was sunday wee still remaind
behind them and on Monday we moved out and took up camp in
about two hundred yards of the breast works so wee staid thare untill
wendsday and at night wee received orders to come to this place and [??]
[page 2]
the dawn of day next morning wee commenced our march about .10. miles
to this Chemanak Ford on the Rapidan River. and when wee arrived
heare our Regt. ware sent out on picket and wee are still out from the
Brigade. the rest of the brigade are throwing up breast works. wee are very m[?]
fortified the hole line from Orange C.H. to Fredericksburg: while wee ware
on picket wee would talk with the yankes and would swap news papers
and wee would gow down to the river to wash our face and hands the
yankes would come and wash thirs on the other side about 30 yards wide so wee
ware very friendly it seemed like but if they ware to come A cross they
would certainly find A warm reception wee have bin living very high
on corn for the last 4 days it looks like that someboddy has bin feeding
hogs for A hold winter just to look at the corn cobs that wee
eaten the corn off.. I have written enoughf about the corn and the
expected battle. So I was proud to heare that you all had such A
good meeting at the old School house the place that I love but
if I cannot come and see you all I can meditate upon the past gone
by days and think of the joys and pleasure that I have seen. but.
alas it has gone never more to return it would be almost unspeakable
joy to me to know that peace was made and I could return home
again and I am inhopse that . that time is not far distant when
peace will prevail over and through our land once more. so I must
bring my letter to A close as I have not time to write any more so
I remain as ever your affectionate Brother J, F, Coghill
A E Cog