Camp Long Nov 10th 1862
Dear Brother and Sister
I avail my Self of the oppertunity
to inform you of my health and my Wherebouts &c
I am well and am in camp Near garys burg 24
miles beyond Weldon. I have just returned a few days
since from a voyage down East I was gone 5 days I was
about 40 miles from camp the y___ landed near Hamblton
and were advancing towards Weldon but we began
to run a prity strong force down there from perters
burg and our caverly and they run back to water
there was Some of our company Captured some little
things from them that they had to drop gut some 14
mules and a waggon or two if thay had not gut to thare
gun boats we would give them fits they No [1] 1000
we had a very Ruff time when we left Camp the Snow
was 6 inch deep and very Cold,, I think they are determi
-nd to get to weldon before lond [2],, there intention is
to comeup Ronoke R. if they can, and from black water
I am thinking they are going to hold us prity hot this
winter, I think march will test the matter I think they
intend to gives us there best this winter,, we, that is
our Regt will opperate from City point to Tar R- [3] we will
be in that bounds all winter I donte no wither this place
will be our winter quarters or not I think it likley so
if they donte make us Skedadle from here I cant brag
on our leeders bravry nor ther comptency Either I think
ther Skill is quite limited but that aint for me to Say
[page 2]
The health of the Regt is very good considring
the Exposure they have to indure some is as good
as barefooted and some very near naked,, some bare
headed &c, our horses look very well notwith[standing?] the
Distemper and hard riding that they have done
Roben is the hose among hoses,, we get plenty of forage
and I use it frealey we ourselves are getting rations
more bountifull than we did some time back, when
we are out on pickett we fare somtiously,, When we
were dow on pickett last week we were in the neighbahood
of the y___ and people gave plentifull, and it was heart
braking to see the distress amongst the fair ones I Saw
more tears, than a few then would Shout when thay
would see us Coming and we would go out of hearing of
them Shouting and some moving away &c
Jim Jessee & [?]arkey are all well.
I am very mutch oblige to you for your very
lenthy Epistle I want you to try your hand again
and that prity soon, and tell me if you want to
see, betsey ann, and what is your price, give
the perticklar newes of the neighborhood genarly
I donte write mutch to no one fore I have no Chance
and my time is limited some what, Mag if R [4] donte
write you make him write and you do the same
and you would bestoe a grate favor on me if you would
make me a pr of lagons of some substantial cloth to keep
my legs warm and send me somting good Eat
for I have a power full hankern aftera Change of food
if you want to send me a small Box send it by Express
to weldon NC and tell me when you start it and I will
get it, and I will send you the cast back
give my love to Miss Martha, and to all inquiring Friends
if there Should be any your Brother Dinson
[right-hand margin]
Direct to gerysburg NC 63 Regt: Co F care Cap Erwin