Head Quarters 44th N.Y.S.V.
     Fairfax Court House Va
	       Friday Oct 16th 1863
   Friends at Home
		You are no doubt
getting anxious to hear from
me by this time & as I have
got a few laisur moments I
will improve them in writing
to you    We have been having
some pretty hard times
since I wrote last but as
yet we have not fought
any but do not know how
soon we may   . last Sat
morning we struck tents
at 2 Oclock and started for
the Rapidan River and when
within 4 miles of Raccoon
Ford our Generals found
that the enemy had withdrawn

their pickets from that place
to deceive us and that they
were crossing the river about
15 or 20 miles above with
the intention of striking us
on the flank and rear and
we accordingly commenced a
retrogade movement. I was
on picket that night and
the picket acted as rear guard
the next day, the enemy
followed up verl very close &
we saw several charges made
by our cavelry to check their
advance & once we were drawn
up in line expecting to have
a brush with them but did not
we Crossed the Rappahannock
that night and slept in the old
camp at Beverly Ford. The next
morning our Corps was sent
across the river to asertain the
strength of the enemy we

advanced in line of battle
about four miles and found
only cavelry & light artillery, so
it was pretty evident the enemy
were on our right farther up
the river  we recrossed the river
the next morning at day light
& started for Warrenton Junction
where we staid that night
the next morning we started for
Manassas Junction we crossed
broad run creek about noon & 
took dinner Just as we started
from there the enemy opened fire 
from a battery of light artillery
which they had run up to the
opposite bank & killed & wounded
[?] or 15 of the 3d div [?] one corps
the second corps was in our rear
and they sent a division out
and captured the battery &
a brigade of North Carolinians
which were supporting it

Just about this time the enemy
came down on the 2nd corps with
the intention of cutting them off.
By this time we had got up to
Manassas Juncton and orders came for
us to go to the assistance of the 2nd corps
double quick which we did but the
enemy seeing the cloud of dust
which we raised and probably
judging it to be reinforcements
wisely withdrew and after dark
we started for Centerville. we stopped
about a mile & a half south of the
hights and about the same distance
this side of Bull Run Creek. The
next day which was yesterday
we came to this place we heard
considerable cannonading in our
rear last night toward dark
but it is thought to be nothing
more than our rear guard and
some cavelry of the enemy. The opinion
is that Lee calculated to get in our
rear and have another "Pope scene
but General Meade was too quick for
him and I think they will not
attack us here, but still they
may. my health is pretty good
The boys are all well, no more
this time, write soon & 
accept this from the absent
      Soldier
		John H Wheeler
		Co H 44th N.Y.S.V.
To
     Friends at Home