Camp Ellis Ford Va
August the 1 63
Dear Charlotte
I once more have a fiew leisure moments and I will improve them in writing to you to let you know that I am well and that I received three of your letters this weak. I got two day before yesterday and your last one I gust read. One of the letters had some tea in. I was verry glad to hear from you but sorry to hear that little Matie was sick. You must have you hands full. I wish you could get some young girl to help you. We had a hard march yesterday and last knight. Yesterday morning at five oclock we were on the move. We marched within two miles of Kellys Ford where we croosed when we went to Chancelorsville. There the first and second brigades left ours. They went to Kellys Ford and our brigade went to the United States Ford all except the 137th regt. We went to Ellises Ford two miles above the United States Ford so our regt is alone to guard this place. There will be heavey deteails. I will have to go on picet or to work every day. We are going to fortify some. Piceting will be some danguerous here. The gurillies are thick here. We marched most all knight last knight. We got here gust at day break this morning reather tired. The prospect is that we will stay here. Our division is all broke up guarding thoes fords. There has ben heavey canonading to day in the direction of Culpeper. I hope our boys will show the rebs the northern elephent as we did at Gettysburg. I think they will. I dont think the South ever will gain another victory at least I hope not. I am not discouraged about the war nor shant be as long as we have got a man left. The prospect is better now than it ever has ben. Charlston will be ours next and the true old flag waving over it once more. The war wants to be properly managed and it wont last long. The draft will do something towards that. Generl Mead is quite a stiring man and he councels with the other generls. That is something that they never have done at least they wouldent agree as they do now and I guess they will do something. If we dont have good success it wont be the soldiers fault. They will go where they are orderd and we are orderd to go in some awful places. I hope it wont be long when the old flag will wave over the whole United States for then I know I can go home and live in a time of peace once more. How good it would seam to be home and be free again and not expect to fight every day but it has got to be done. The rebellion must and will be crushed and our good free goverment saved and I am willing to do all I can. It is most a year since I enlisted. I have ben verry lucey I havent ben sick but verry little. Alwais ready for duty. Sickly soldiers haint worth but little here. I was sorry to hear that Maria was so sick. I am glad she is better. I hope Matie will get along soone. I was afraid something was the matter. I have thought of her so mouch lately. I hope we will all ceep our health while I am gone from home. I am glad you have got some money yet. The weather is verry warm to day. I think has ben the hottest day I ever see. It is now most dark and I shal have to close for to knight. If I have time I will write some more tomorrow. Jim is cooking super and we will eat that and lay down. We dident sleep eney last knight. My love to you. Good buy dear Charlotte.
Chas Engle