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                                                      Camp near Winchester
                                                          Sep 10th 1864

Dear Nat:    A long time has transpired since we interchanged civilities.
What say you to a renewal of the acquaintance.  Where are you? What
doing?.  When about Petersburg I made several ineffectual efforts to see
          informed
you and was always ^ that you were down at the front, without being
told at the front of what, or in which direction you fronted.  How do you
like the war?  What do you think of the fall of Atlanta?  What of the
nomination of McClellan?  Why did you and old Bob Lee allow Grant to
get possession of the Weldon Road as soon as we left Reams! – Is not
that your best route home.  Are not the Yanks between you and your
Dulcinea del Toboso?  Are you blue, or are you in high spirits and “spilin
for a fight.”? How comes on the ‘shakin ager.’Do they put you in the trenches
with the rest of the boys or do you just go in in order that you may draw
coffee & sugar.  We are having gay times over here.  Have actually had three
days of rest in succession, the only three since reaching the valley.  Early
has chased Sheridan and Sheridan has chased Early, and Early has re-chased
Sheridan & Sheridan Early until they have stopped from exhaustion
and [Wickhams Bugado?] has actually had three consecutive days of rest.
Tis entirely natural under such circumstances that my mind should revert
to old acquaintances and old times.  Who ever thought when we were boys
or even full grown men that we would live to see the day when the Union
should be dissolved and when the Old School & New School should come together
and yet in our life time both of these events have happened. Do you begin to feel
old?  Are the gray hairs appearing here & there. What do you think about in times
like these.  Have you many pleasant associates around you.  Do you read
books or only newspapers as I do and that occasionally.  Have you time for
reflection, time for letter writing or as I am always busy without being able
one half of the time to see that any thing is accomplished by it.


How are you getting on & what are you doing? How is the Ex Governor? Brig Genl
Wise? Does he ever allude now to his gizzard foot & ebo shin administration.
Have heard nothing from him for a long time. Would like to hear his views upon
the subject of peace and a continuance of the war.  And what he thinks of
Old Bob Lee’s present position. Do you all intend to hold Petersburg or will
Old Bob allow himself to be flanked out of it as Hood was.
Changing the subject – How is Sister Nannie & the little one.  Always give her a great
deal of love for me when you write and invite her earnestly to come up and
stay with Mary some: and then there will be direct railroad communication
between you.I would be delighted to be with you and Sister Nannie this beau-
tiful evening. Could find a great deal more to tell you than I can sitting down
here on the wet ground writing on my knee. More especially would I like to be
with you in Pr Edward where Mary could also join in the conversation.
Suppose you have heard how the Yankees served me.  They took all of my
mules and horses and greater part of my Negroes.  I recovered
the negroes but mules & horses still in the vocation.  Have had to incur
great expense in replacing them and as a consequence entertain serious
thought again of quitting the cavalry.  Cavalry horses are enormously high
A good one cannot be bought for less than $2500 or $3000. I cannot
afford to buy many more.  The boys in my company are all well, at least
those present. Amongst them are Tom & Archer Haskins, Wm Dupuy, Lee & Ino Redd
etc etc.  Have just heard that Henry [Edwards?] is married.  Am glad to hear it as
[?] an [?] that his health is improving.  Hope that he will in course
of time entirely recover from his wound.
The Charlotte Troop in McCauslands brigade has been several times near us
but I have not had the opportunity of visiting them.  I hear that they are all well.
Tis growing late and I must close.  Give my kindest regards to all the boys
whom I know in your company and let me hear from you at your earliest
convenience.  I would distress you to see the ravages of war on this beautiful valley.
Our trials as Virginians have been great during this war, but we must bear them
as best as can always trusting in the Great Omniscient Deity, who doeth all things well
                                                        Adieu – Yr Bro Richard