Mother I take my pen once more to write a few lines to you

Camp 106th Regt. N. Y. Volls.

Brandy Station Va.

Nov 11th/63
Mother
I take my pen once more to write a few lines to you[.]  I am well to day and I hope you are all enjoying the same blessing[.]  I wrote you on the 9th inst giveing you the detail of our proceedings since last saturday.  How early on the morning of the 7 we were up and evry thing packed and was ready to move at day light which we did and marched to the ropahonnock river whare we found the enemy in some force at all the ferds [fords] and crossings on the river[.]  Our corps moved down the river as far as kelly’s ferd whare we crossed takeing some 400 priseners with very little loss on our side.  But down by the Rappahonnack station (as ferd) it was not so pleasant crossing thare[.] the enemy had a good strong lot of fertify [fortifications] with a good amount of artillery[.]  But one devision of the 6 corps marched up and charged them under a shower of grape cannisters the shot being fired when our boy[s] were within 10 feet of the musells [muzzle’s] mouth of the cannon. they took 8 hundred of Lousianians (called Lousiania Tigers) and 11 pieces of artillery[.] our loss there was 150 killed and 242 wounded. Those that saw the charge say it was splendidly done but it look[ed] hard to see our men fall[.] The enemy had some nice winter quarter[s] made hear but they had to “Skedadel” when we moved in force upon them[.]  I received your letter of the 5th inst last night and I hasten to answer for you must be looking with some anxiety for a letter from me when the army of the potomac is on the move since I last wrote you I have lain in line of battle 5 nights and a good deal day times, thare has been a good deal of heavy cannonadeing since.  shells bursting all around us some takeing off[.] I saw one man with both legs taken off with a shell[,] some with one and some with an arm shatterd[.] If this war does not close within the next six months, I do not think it will close in old Abes reign, if Jon has not gone back tell him to write[.] give him my best respects[.]  I should be pleased to have you send me 4 or 5 of the back numbers of the Canton Plaindealer[.] I sent some papers home a good while a go and some books of late[.] did you get them,  Thare was one novel sent to John.  By the way[,] ask John how Emma and the Canton fair get along[.] also how he likes to go to working [?].  No more at present[.] I remain for ever you son[.] D. W. Sunderland
P.S. I have not got my Box

President Abraham Lincoln; November 6, 1860 – April 14 1865