Henry Welch Letter to his Aunt and Uncle, Sept. 15, 1863

“Camp near Kelly’s Ford, VA

Sept. 15^th 1863

Dear Uncle and Aunt,

It is night and I seat myself to pen a few lines to you not knowing when I shall have another chance to write you a letter. We are under orders to march at six o’clock tomorrow morning we expect to attack the rebels and have another battle, we are bound to drive them to Richmond during this campaign, Lee’s army it is thought is some weakened by his sending off troops to reinforce Bragg and Beauregard, and it appears that Meede is about to take advantage of Mr. reb a little and…”

“…drive him to the rebel capitol if such is his intentions he has got plenty of fellows to back him in the undertaking; we will stand by him until the last copperhead at the north is gone and until the last patriot and loyal man has refused him support, he guided us to gain a great victory at Gettysburg, and now with his help we will gain a victory in front of Richmond. I will send you my likeness in this letter, you will see that soldiering has not quite used me up yet, I never was in better health than at the present time…”

“…I feel just like marching now it is getting late and I must close and got some sleep please excuse this or writing for I have written this letter in a great hurry. My love to you both, write soon, good bye, from,

Henry.

P.S. I would like to have you tell Father as soon as you get this if he has not sent those things not to send them until he hears from me again or until we stop our march, please see him as soon as you can after you get this,

Henry”