Friday, August 07, 1863 - Kelly's Ford, Virginia

#27

Head Quarters 20^th Reg't C.V

Kellys Ford Va Aug 7^th 1863

Dear Wife & Children

It is with a great deal of pleasure that I take my pen this fine morning to write a few lines to you to let you know how and whare I am, my health is good first rate and hope when these few lines reach you they will find you all enjoying the same great blessing, We have had some very warm weather of late here have had Thunder Showers the last three days in succession, and it i hot this morning should not think strange if we had another shower to day; I will now tell you whare I am I am now setting on the bank of the Rappahannock about one mile down the River from Kelly Ford am doing picket duty have been out here two days, have got to stay one day longer before I go to Camp unles we march before that time expires heard last night that there was a prospect of our moveing to day, have not heard anything about it this morning but cant tell what will hapen before night we are liable to receive orders to march any moment when we stop at a place there is no telling how long we shall stay sometimes we stop put up our shelter tents and suppose we are going to stay sometime but before we have time to hardly turn round orders come to strike tents pack up and march immediately. so you see we know not what a day may bring foarth or even an hour for every thing seams to be uncertain business in war times but I am in hopes the time is not far distant when this war will ceas and peace and quiet shed it's halowed influence once more over what is now a scene of bloodshed and sorrow, I looked for a letter from you Wednesday night but did not get it thought shure that I should get one last night, but still I was disapointed for one of the boys went to Camp this morning and come back without a letter for me therefore I come to the conclusion that you neglected to write last Sabbath so thought I would scrable a few lines to you and let you know that you are not forgot yet although you may not get a letter as often as you would like to but you must remember that what few leisure moments I get can not be spent in the same manner as if I was at home, for we have to do our own cooking what we have done and for the last two months when when we stop we feel more like laying down and doing nothing than writing or any thing else, but anough of this kind of stuf, I have got two months more pay I will send you twenty dollars in this letter write as soon as you receive it if you receive it at all and let me know for I may want to send a little more write me how you got along with the afares at home also how much money you have on hand if you keep the nest egg yet and how much it is I have most forgot. write whether you have got your money from the town yet; I should be glad to receive a line from all of the children I get some good letters from Georgia and hope I shall continue to do so, they must all be good children and try to learn must go to the Sabbath School get good lessons and learn to be good boys tell them that when you write I hope I shall hear a good report from them. My love and a kiss for all of you

From Your Affectionate Husband and Father

A.C. Smith