Near Stevensburg Va
	November 11th 1863

Dear Father.
	       Having obtained
the letters of recommendation
I have seated myself to write
you again and also to mail
the same. I arrived here
yesterday P.M. and found
our regt in the [town?] and
on seeing Capt Walker found
that he had not received the
note which I wrote him on
Sunday.. He, however
cheerfully sat down and wrote
his letter and also received
upon application Col Litchfield's
and handed them to me
this morning. Col Mann
is absent from the regt

or his Endorsement would
have been solicited.
   We have no Lieuts in the
Co. at present and Capt was
all in the Co. whom I could 
call upon.
       There is no great [amt?]
of news to write. and the
most important you have
already received. Our brigade
sikirmished a little on Sunday
but have had no fight of
consequence.. I forgot to tell
you in my last that Dan
Lingo is supposed to have
been captured near Falmouth
last week while our division
was on a scout in that vicini
ty.  Dan was a good soldier
but his bravery was more
recklessness than in cour
age and led him to venture
where prudence should have forbid.

     The rebs had commen
ced putting up winter
quarters between here and
the Rappahannock. but
have been forced to move far
ther towards the “Sunny South.
                          near here
   One or two camps ^ were left
in a condition indicating that
they were evacuated in something
of a hurry. Our men picked
up shoes canteens. sabres. and
various articles which would
not have been left behind at
an usual tme.. Our “Signal
Corps” again occupy Pony
Mountain and our forces
are near the Rapidan..
  Cannonading in the direc
tion of Raccoon Ford was
heard early this morning.
After “Grey Backs” went
past here this morning on
their way to Brandy Station

I received the socks you
sent me yesterday morning
and was very thankful.. The
weather is cold and windy..
and looks some like winter
We could see the snow on
the mountains yesterday
morning.
     I have written all of any 
importance and will close..
     I told you. I believe con
cerning my preference. cavalry
if possible, but not infantry..
     Present my thanks
(all that I can offer) to
Mr Alexander for his kind
ness in granting his
assistance on this occasion
     My health is gaining.
     Your Affectionate Son
		Edwin R Havens