Albert Brown, 10 October 1863

Camp on the Rappahannock, Va.
October 10th 1863

Dear Aunt,

I received your letter a week ago last Thursday and I have had no chance to answer it till now. I got your letter about noon. That night we went on board the boat for Alexandria, arrived at Alexandria Monday noon, stopped there over night, got our guns and tents, and the next morning took the cars for Culpeper. Got in there at one o’clock and then marched five miles to our regiment which is in a portion of Meade’s army.

We pitched our tents with the regiment and was getting along finely till yesterday noon when just as we finished dinner, the order came to strike our tents and be ready to march in one hour. We only marched half a mile to a new camping ground. We pitched our tents again, got them all fixed up in fine style by night, then turned in and went to sleep.

At just midnight, we were routed out and ordered to strike tents, pack knapsacks, and be ready to march in an hour. We got ready and started not knowing whether we were going to or from the enemy. It was very dark and we made very slow progress till daylight. We kept on till noon when we made a halt in a wood which they say is near the Rappahannock river. We stopped and rested a couple of hours when we got the order to pitch our tents on the spot and prepare to stop over night and here we are at present. I expect we will move again in the morning, but to what place or for what purpose I can’t say.

My health is very good. I think soldier’s life agrees with me. I believe I am in as goof humor as anyone would be who has to get up at twelve o’clock at night and march with sixty pounds on his back.

My sheet is getting full and I have rather a poor chance to write so I guess I won’t write much more at present. I sent seventy-five dollars to Hannah a short time ago to keep for me. When you write, let me know whether she received it or not. Give my love to all the folks and accept a share yourselves.

Direct your letters to Albert C. Brown, 16th Me. Reg. Co. C, Washington D. C.

From your nephew, — Albert C. Brown

I got a good long letter from home last Tuesday. They were all well.