Wednesday, March 25, 1863 - Brookes Station, Virginia

Camp Out in the woods

Near Brookses Station, Va.

March 25^th 1863

Dear Wife

I now take this opportunity to answer your letter of the 15^th I did not receive it till monday went up to the regiment on that day and found it there I do not get your letters as soon after you write as I used to when I was in the regiment therefore you must not expect an answer as soon as you used to get one I was glad to hear that you ware all well it found me well and in good spirits and I am well now have not felt better at any time since I come from home than I do now and hope this will find you all the same at home I told you that I went up to the Regiment Monday stayed over night and returned on Tuesday while I was gone the Ambulance Corps moaved about three miles back from the Landing so when I got back I found myself without a hut or any kind of a shelter and it looked likely for a storm so friend Clark and myself stuck up our canvass tent and crawled into it, it commenced raining about dark and rained all night very fast I kept dry except my head it rained on that all night when I woke up in the morning my hair was as wet as if it was just out of the brook but that did me no harm I feel as well to day as if I had slept in a good house and on a good feather bed last night, we are now about half of a mile from Brookses Station which is on the Rail Road from Aquia Creek to Falmouth, but I think we shall not stop here long. I think there will be some fighting done in this section of country inside of three weeks if the weather and traviling will admit I say that I think so, and that is what the Commanders generly think about here. I was down to the station this forenoon and saw Alfred Dickinson there he was going to Washington he told me that his Wife and family lived their he has two children. It is mild and pleasant to day after the rain last night the wind feels soft and spring like it is the warmest day we have had this month down here Now Lucinda I shall give you an awful scolding for what you have done for selling the old Cow I mean you have done just as I wanted you should do if you found it to hard work to take care of her I am glad you sold her and think you got a very fare price for her although if I had been at home he could not bought her for that I like the idea of your getting the pay for her and putting it in the bank also that other ten dollars that you spoke about and if that nest egg is in the trunk yet you may put that with it and anugh more to make sixty dollars if you have it to spare for I think that I shall get my pay before long then if I succede in getting it home safe you will have anough to last some time. one worde to the children you must all be good and mind your Mother then I shall love you better than if you are naughty my love to all of you

From your Father & Husband

A.C. Smith