Near Kelly's Ford Va
       Monday November 9th /63

Dear Father
                   Your welcome letter
of Nov 1st was received yesterday
morning and occasioned feelings
of mingled sorrow and pleasure. 
     The intelligence of the death 
of poor Rene filled my heart 
with sorrow and I mourn his loss
more deeply than as that of a
mere friend. I shall always
remember him as a brother. and
such he has always seemed to be.
     All my hopes of happy times
at home after this cruel war is
closed were mingled with
thoughts of him as I hoped he
might help me to enjoy them
But he is no more. and I 

can scarcely bring myself
to believe that I shall not
realize the fulfillment of his
my hopes.. Our country has
lost few as good and noble
sons as he. none. better.. He
has often said if his country
needed the sacrifice of his life
he should yield it up willingly.
and I doubt not he died at
his post like the true soldier 
as he was..
     	Our army is again
on the move and pressing Lee
back with astonishing rapidity
    I believe I wrote Mother
last week from Catlett's
Station, which place we left
Saturday morning. That day
we marched to Morrisville
six miles from this place when
we remained until yesterday
noon when we took up our

     line of march for this place
where we arrived about mid-night.
     A pretty severe battle took
place near here on Saturday
afternoon in which our forces
were successful in driving
the Enemy and capturing a
large number of prisoners and
cannon.  I have heard it repor
ted that the sum of our victories
up to last night amounted to
2,900 prisoners. 11 pieces of cannon
and a rebel pontoon train..
     Gen Sedgeavick commanding
6th Army Corps captured a large
number of prisoners and the pontoon
train.  It is reported that some
part of our forces now occupy the
highths of Fredericksburg. and
that our division of cavalry is
was last night at. Stevensburg
five miles from Culpepper


     The R.R. Saturday
morning extended to but a
a little ways below Warren
ton Junction although the
grading was done and ties
laid nearly to Bealeton and
I presume ere long that
they cars will be running
to the river. but it will be a
long time ere they run to Cul
pepper C.H. if the road
should be finished [so?] far
     Last week rumors were
rife that that road would
be abandoned. and if the
story be true of the occupation
of Fredericksburg and surroun
ding highths I shall not be
surprised to see the Acquia
Creek and Falmouth road
rebuilt and a part of the sup
plies sent by that route.


      I had about come to 
the conclusion that the cor
rect route to Richmond lay
by way of the peninsula and
had almost come to think
that our operations in this quarter
were but a feint. and that a
change of base would soon
take place. But Gen Meade
makes but few confidences in
his plans and when he makes
a determined move always comes
off victor. He has the entire
confidence of the army which
every day strengthens..
     Old soldiers who have
fought under every commander
of the “Army of the Potomac”
McClellan. Pope Burnside
Hooker and all say that none
could handle the army of as

      I had about come to 
the conclusion that the cor
rect route to Richmond lay
by way of the peninsula and
had almost come to think
that our operations in this quarter
were but a feint. and that a
change of base would soon
take place. But Gen Meade
makes but few confidences in
his plans and when he makes
a determined move always comes
off victor. He has the entire
confidence of the army which
every day strengthens..
     Old soldiers who have
fought under every commander
of the “Army of the Potomac”
McClellan. Pope Burnside
Hooker and all say that none
could handle the army of as

     Immediately upon reading
your letter I wrote to Captain
Walker asking him to send
me by the post master the letter
of recommendation promised me
and I shall expect to receive it
by Wednesday or Thursday and
will immediately mail it to
you. As to the matter of re-enlis
ting I should of course have
to muster for the same length 
of time that the regiment
for to which I belonged was mus
tered..   I of course should
prefer a commission in cavalry
as my education has been exclusively
in that branch but would not
object to infantry or artillery
     I think artillery that is light
horse artillery the neatest as
well as the most essential
branch of the service

     I am glad to know that
Nell has made you a visit
and also that he will teach
this winter.. I think he will 
make an excellent teacher
and I know that he has
a much better education
than I had when I com
menced my first school.
   The socks will be truly
welcome. I found a few
pairs a few days since which
have proved very acceptable
and of good service. My health
is usually good but I have
a cold in my head which may
make me “Sorter duncy”(as old
Mrs Price used to say) and have also
suffered some from dysentery..
We have no drawers and are unable
to draw any yet but I do not
feel the cold much as yet.
     Hoping that this may find
you well and that I may make
you a visit before spring I 
     remain as ever
         Your affectionate Son
		Edwin R Havens