Camp of Kilpatricks Cavalry Warrenton Junction August 9th 1863 Dear Nell I have been studying this morning as to the propriety of writing you. a letter. as it has been so short a time since my last was written. and have finally come to the conclusion to write it let it be welcome or otherwise Yours of August 2nd & 3d came to hand last night and was very welcome you I assure ^ for it had been some ten days since your latest had been received and I began to want to hear from home “right smart” I assure you.. I am pleased to hear such good ac counts from home and glad to know that your second trip to Barron Lake was so successful.. I believe I could enjoy one such excursion very well just about now.. I am doing very well. though just at present.. What are you doing this morning?. I can almost see your every movement.. Every crack and corner of the “old House at Home” is as familiar and clear to my eyes at this moment as though I were with you preparing for some Sunday excursion.. But what are we doing? you will ask. I will tell you.. Imagine yourself here.. in a large wood of oak of all kinds: the ground rolling presenting knolls of moderate highths with hollows beetween.. Outside the woods on the eastern side is a large clearing. the view of which is obstructed by a large hill directly in the center The sky is clear. and the sun bright and warm. the air still and quiet as that of a Sabbath at home broken only by the voices of men which seem un usually quiet this morning and an occasionall note from some locust. The note's of birds are scarcely ever heard by us.. But this is not telling what we are doing.. As for myself I am writing and at the same time watching a dish of dried apples and huckleberries which I am cooking for dinner.. The rest of those able for duty are now in line waiting a grand brigade inspection. but as I am relieved from all duty for an indefinite length of time I concluded not to go out.. In this inspection we go out mounted with all government property in our posses sion. Blankets nicely rolled and strapped to the saddles together with overcoats and everything pertaining to our equipmentss. This inspection will occupy some three or four hours time and I pity those who are forced to sit in their saddles under this sultry August sun. waiting all precision and delay that attends all military movements.. and more especially Sunday inspections I often wish I could be at home one Sunday to see how civilized people do spend it.. I have a faint recollection of a cool bath. clean shirt and collar and other etceteras that we usually termed Sunday fixins.. But no such things greet my eye on this Sunday morning.. On the contrary I now see my self rigged out in a woolen shirt that once was white. with apair of woolen pants. and devoid of Hat and shoes and try to feel comfortable.. How I would like to put on a clean, white cotton shirt and a decent pair of pants once more.. But then this will only last three years and by that time I shall become accustomed to them. A great many complain of the hard ships we have to endure, but as I have once before said a Soldiers life is what we make it. If one will be cheerful and contented he can be just as well as though he were at home.. and I am bound that I will be so long as I have good health and mine was never better than it is today Hope it may remain so three years Well inspection is not such an awful thing after all. Our squadron Cos A. & B. have just got in my fruit is almost done and I have only my letter to attend to I have no news. Col Mann with the remainder of his “Guerrillas” reached camp yesterday having scoured the country quite as thoroughly as so small a force could but did ‘n't. catch Moseby.. They boys brought in 58 head of cattle and a large number of horses. and fourteen prisoners. Among them was One capt and one Lieutenant belonging to Mosebys command.. They went to Moseby's Hd Qrts saw his wife and fed his corn.. The boys all say they had splendid times living on the people.. The last four days they were out they had no government rations.. yet all come in looking as fat as could be.. They all speak of Col Mann as being a “bully” Guerrilla officer. Tis strange how things will change When we first left Fairfax last Spring if a soldier took anything from a citizen a “breeze” was raised about it but now when out milk houses and even dwelling houses have to add their mite to the soldiers larder and no mention is made of it. They bring in a good deal of flour and meal and we live on Hoe cake and “hard tack” are wasting around us. Our Commissary Sergt received a few days ago a large box containing dried fruit of nearly every variety and many other nice articles which he is kind enough to share with three of us and we think some of living awhile.. I wish you would come over to dinner to day. Id make your eyes stick out to see what cooks we all are.. My best wishes to all friends and tell mother I am waiting anxiously for that long delayed letter..