Camp near Paolia Mills Va

Tuesday Nov 24th 1863

“We just returned from another mud march. We started this morning about Daylight to Cross the Rappidan River to have another fight with the enemy But Before we had Reached 5 miles from Camp it Comenced [sic] Raining & we got stuck in the mud again But not as bad as last winter & the Order was given to get Back into Camp again So here we are after a hard tramp throught the mud I Don’t think we will stay here long if the weather will permit of our moveing [sic] for gen Meade seems Determined to have another fightBefore going into winter Quarters But it has got to be the time of year that we cannot Depend upon the weather at all & then we have had a very open fall & generaly [sic] one extreme follows another so we cannot tell what is going to be done But one thig is Cerain if the weather will permit you may expect to hear of another great battle being fought near Fredericksburg for the Rebs will not give up the other side of the Rappidan without a great Struggle”. The army is getting paid off and all are paid except his regiment. “I made a coupld of Pictures one Saturday & one yesterday & got a dollar for them so you see I can keep myself in spending money for we do not get any Chance to spend any there has been no Suttlers allowed in front since we fell back from Culpepper and the Boys have been in a great State for tobacco there is but little to be seen & extraordinary Prices are asked for it.”

He thinks it will be a few days before they can move again but the weather looks unsettled. Tom has had all his things turned in and will probably be in Washington but he may stay with them until they move again. It looks like Tom will get his discharge since he’s not worth a great deal in the army: “he has had something the matter with him ever since he has been down here.” Lengthy closing hoping God will spare them to meet again. “A kiss”.