#32

Sep 18^th

Kellys Ford Sept 13^th 1863

Dear & ever beloved Wife

I now seat myself and atempt to answer your letter of the 6^th which I received last Wednesday afternoon was glad to get it and hear that you ware all well it found me well as usual and still remain the same to day and hope when this reaches you it will find you all well and in good spirits; the weather is very fine here this morning. We had a most powerful shower last night or rather yesterday in the afternoon the wind blew a perfect hurracane it laid a good many of the tents flat blew down trees and so on; And another this morning about daylight only the wind did not blow quite as hard, We was called up this morning before it was fairly light to fall in to role call what it meant I have not learnt yet. however I suppose it was to have in ready in case we ware wanted for our Cavalry crossed the Rappahannock again this morning Isaw them cross there was quite a lot of them. what kind of a move there is on foot I do not know but there seams to be something up. Everything has been very still and quiet about here of late and it is about time for something to turn up, but what it will amount to remains to be seen. I should not think strange though if it should turn out to be a big fight before it is through with; I am glad some of those fellows that you named are drafted I wish they might have to come out and try the life of a soldier awhile but if the Town has agreed to pay three hundred dollars for them whether they go or stay I do not see as it is going to make any diferance with them for all they have to do is to take the money pay it to the government and stay at home if the Town had done that they have done one very mean thing that is to vote that I as well as all of the others that are away to war running the risk of our lives shall pay our money to keep those bloody cowards at home. that is one of the worst acts I ever heard of: But it may all come out right in the end I hope it will and that very soon. While I am writing the ball has opened between our cavalry that crossed the River this morning and the Rebs: I hear every few moments the roar of Cannon that speak in thunder tones as though they were dealing out death and distruction to some of the human family; We may have to cross and follow them up and may not at such time we can not tell at the commencement of an hour what will take place before it closes we may be in perfect health but before that length of time expires we may be in death,s cold embrace. I hope and pray for the best and whatever comes I can say God,s will be don. I often think of you and the children what a consolation it would be for me to be with you all once more but when that time will come if ever is hard to tell, but I am in hopes to see it yet, I now expect to be paied off tomorrow if we do not move before if I am will send you twenty dollars in this letter if I do answer as soon as you receive it.  I am sorry to hear some things of Edgar that I did in the last letter.  If he makes such threats as you wrote for it is time he had another home you tell him if he is not a better boy I shall write to some good man and have him take charge of him so if he wants to live at home he had better be a good boy and mind what his Mother says to him, And if I hear of any more threats of that kind I shall certainly take some steps to have him punished.  I am astonished Edgar to hear any such thing of you  I hope in future you will behave in a maner that I shall hear a better report of you, Lucinda I have not answered many of your questions for I have not rome I will answer them if I ever come home you can guess pretty well what they would be. My love to you all. Edgar especily.  You will be a better boy wont you 

From Your Afectionate Husband & Father

A.C. Smith

Copyright © 2009 Bruce E. Leandro. All rights reserved.