Albert Brown, 8 February 1864

Mitchell’s Station, Va.
Monday, February 8, 1864

Dear Aunt [Mary P. Brown],

I received your letter and was very glad to hear from you and that you were all well. Your speculations about the place I was in when I had my picture taken did not amount to much as I was in a large tent and the background in the picture is nothing but a painting on canvas. Still it is a very good representation of a camping ground and looks quite natural. I would like to be an artist and I would make a picture of our camping ground and send to you but I am not so that puts an end to that subject.

Day before yesterday we were somewhat surprised by hearing heavy cannonading in the direction of Raccoon Ford which continued all day. It seems that the Rebs attacked our folks at the ford but were whipped and driven back. Report says that we have taken three or four hundred prisoners. You will be likely to hear the particulars before you get this letter.

We have had pretty good news here in the last day or two, which is that the people of Richmond have rebelled and that the stars and stripes float over the city and that Gen. Banks is in possession of Mobile, Alabama. If that is all true, it is good news, is it not! There is so many stories going in camp that we do nor put much confidence in one until we are sure that it is true.

The weather here has been very fine most of the time since January came in. It seems very much like spring in Maine. There is no snow on the ground now at all but plenty of mud instead.

My health is very good and I am enjoying myself very well. Still the duty is pretty hard but we get plenty of time to loaf as it is.

I guess I will close as my sheet is getting full. Give my love to all hands and accept a share yourself. From your nephew, — Albert C. Brown