Camped at White Oak Church Va May 9th 1863 Dear Brother & Sister, Afer 9 Days of Marching and fighting, we have got in to Camp again, but not the old, about 4 Miles from it towards Falmouth. I am so tired and lame and sore you will have to put up with a Short Letter this time. I shall not be able to give you the full detales of of the last 9 days. I will say however to commence with, that through the goodness of God I have passed through it all this far not rec as much as a scratch, for which I feel to thank my Heavenly Father, neithe has there any one in our Battery been hit or hurt. We were not in Sundays fight _______________________________ 2 but went up to the front Sunday Eve. to releave a nother Battery. We were down below Falmouth Wednesday Thursday and Friday. Part of the 1st Armey Corp (to which we belong) Crossed there just below where the 6th Corps Crossed. We had an Artillery fight with the Rebes there a part of two different days. Saturday that part of the 1st Corps that had crossed the River, recrossed again and we marched up to the extreme right where Hooker was to assist him. I had the hardest days March that day (Saturday) that I have ever had. I was nearly used up, it was very hot; and I could not sweat scarsely a bit, and my feet got qwite sore ___________________________________ 3 and was some lame where I had been kicked a week or two before on my Shin Bone by a Horse, but I have lived through it and thanks be to God have come out of the whole of it alive and well but some what tired. There was a nomber of Nights we sleped scarsely any. The Pickets would get to fireing qwite briskly in the Night and then we would have to up and be ready to give the Rebesif they should attempt to advance on our lines. We withdrew back across the River Tuesday Eve. and by Wednesday morn- ing the whole Armey was back again. as to the Plan of Gen Hookers, it was most excelent, and he would of succeded ________________________________ 4 without the least doubt, if the Rebes had not been heavily rien -forced from Richmond. Hooker had got the Rebes in a tight place and they knew it therefore they reinforced Lee Largely, but you will or have got the particulars of the Battles and all in the Papers better than I can give them to you so I will not attempt it at this time. I rec. your kind and good letter of Apr 26th, May the 2nd and was very glad to hear from you, and hear that you were all well as usual, it never entered my head that youd not write sooner because you was afraid you would have to send me something just because you kindly made such an offer. David; do me no such injustice as to think that I should enartain such thoughts for I have had no such and do not now as to wanting any thing. There is nothing that I wish for. Particularly now. We were paid off a week or two since so I Shall get along very well now for a while. The most I ever need is Postage Stamps. I get short of them occasionly, but ____________________________________ 1-4X shall have enough now for a while or as soon as Rachel can send me a Dollars worth. I use a good many. Rachel wrote me that you had been to Manches -ter. I hope you had a good visit. I would like to see your little Boy very much. I suppose he takes up a good deal of your attention, but you must take time to write to your Soldier Brother. I would be very happy to see a paper from you ocasionly, a good one for news I must now close. I will try and do better next time. God bless you all. Write often and please your Affectionate T C Cheney