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[Page 1]

[Vertically in top margin]

I have your old acquaintance W. Hendricks added to my staff & Maj. Hillary
Turner [?] [?] Miss Marshall - I did not tell you [?] Dr. Chambler
insures is [?] [?] for his
[?] [?]
I have found out that [?] Jacksn
will resume Gen. Ed. Joson for Maj.
Gen [?] beca[?] not come back [?]
[?]

[Body of Letter]

Head Quarters Jackson Div:
Camp near M[?] Neck 29th Decm 1862
I have been busily occupied my beloved Wise
every day since I reached this place which was two days
after the battle at Fredericksburg in [?] the
country, the [?] at earth [?] sicking [?] sets, and [crossed out]
cutting aug timber, & making roads.  so that I have
had to be in my saddle from morn until night &
then at night when I could get a candle (a very
rare article & one not issued by the Commissioner.
occupied as long as the candle lasted in agony
and [?] paper & &c.  I have [?] no time to
write yet if I [?] hve had any assurance
that my letter would have reached you of course
I would have done so.  I write this at a [?]
& send it to B[?] [?] I fear the late occupation
of our Alto: has put a stop with nails
I spent a most quiet and astonishing Xmas
Nothing [?] [?] [?] but a leg from piece of
beef and cold water_ and [?] [?] fortieth
bout day (how very old I am becoming) was [?]
over more [?].  I am very confident
being for the first time in a house.  Actually
sleeping on a bedstead (no bed however.)  And
always having a good one of oak & hickory_
[?] [?] a great happening & me to receeive your

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letter and to learn you were well as were our hear little
over in Richmond officers too.  I have been very uneasy since
I have seen by the [?] their a [?] [?] of
scarlet fever nor prevailing in Richmond lest our
little daughter chance have been [?] with influ
enza.  However [?] reported them.
I no mich distressed to learn of the outrages committed
by the [?] invaders in our ountry.  Will not a just
God deliver us from their atrocities, and punish them
for their [?].  I rode with Frederichsburg two
day ago.  I have never put before in all the
horrible scenes of desecration and horror it has been
my sad fortune to witness during this war seen
any [?] equal will.  Every h[?] is pre[?] by Car
[?] [?] in [?] by bullets.  The doom are open evy [?] is [?] sheets burning [?] [?]
move [?] fires meet [?] at evy turn,  Churches,
Orpahn Asylumss all torn o pieces.  The parker dead
buried in cement the yeard and enclosure.  The [?] horses
have been filled with dead.  The demol[?] is horrible
a few poor womena nd wretched children [?] about
Their [?] [?] amost [?] and perishing
If this [?] could late been day[?] it
[?] which all who could [?] [?] lecture with [?]
and inspection _ About our our offices I
have a day that it would afford me [?] [?]
[?] [?] [?] that so [?] [?] action our lines
with our fables.  but I [?] it anew to  [?]

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to sell our home - we here the land poor as it is
and if it pleases God to spare us to see the end of
this frightful war we can live and no matter how
poor we can and will be happy.
You must decide about coming to Richmond [illeg]
is Zoebrook. If there is any apprehension of danger
or evil for heaven sake come. Send Jason to
take care of the house and our property.
I was astonished to hear that Bandy & Abram had gone.
I think they will come back they are so young that they
will perish. Can not say get them back
I was much gratified at Sam’s conduct tell him so.
I saw Ned day before yesterday He is well & gave me
An account of his adventures at home.
We are quiet at present. Tho it is thought by some
that there will be another battle. Our position is a
strong one all the way down the river. The Yankees are
just over the rise. I see them every day. They are not more
than two hundred yards off. (Their pickets) but never fire
I us rode along by some ten or fifteen the other
day within short range but they did not think of firing
& generally they sit with their backs against a tree &
their arms some yards off. They converse in a very friendly
way with our men and did come over & traffic for tobac-
co: paying with coffee and sugar.
For myself I can see no sign or prospect of [?]
yet. I fear we must go through another campaign
perhaps another year or maybe until Lincoln’s term
expires.

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I wrote your father a long letter some days ago
Davidson Penn has gone to Richmond for a week
Mr. Stanan is well as is Warner. Tom I suppose
gave you all the news about the battle.
General Lees Officers have their wives up here
with them. I will ride over this eve if I
can find time to call on Mrs AP Hill.
I have not had the time to see any of the Olyers yet.
I was very much grateful to hear that my father
had gone to Richmond for you. Give him with my love
many thanks for it. Love to Ma tell her to
write to me – to Tom and Holly and to Phil. Tell him
[?] I care & act of our [?] life recalls him to
me & I miss him greatly. All his old comrades
inquire about him and think kindly of him.
Love & remembrances to all our friends & to the faithful
few of the tenant[?] kindly remember me.
What did you do with the letter Mrs. Ro: Talb. Gave you for her
husband She has twice written about it
God bless you my Beloved Wife & shield & protect
you & our dear ones from all harm. Write me as
often as you can. Tell each of the dear children
individually that I send them my love & a thousand kisses
When [?] I [?] see them.
I thank God for the great comfort of seeing you those two
Brief days. God bless you and good be
Ever most devotedly
Your husband
Wm B Taliaferro