1861 Oct[ober] 18 Centreville

Dear Ma:-
You no doubt all of you wonder at my long silence as I have not written home since Mr. Fox went up but we have been on pickett so constantly since that time that I have not had an opportunity and besides the Army has been moved from Fairfax C.H. up to Centreville and such confusion you cannot imagine. When the Army was moved up we were on Pickett and not a bit of infantry between us and the main body of the Army. It was a great wonder that our whole Regiment was not captured. We started from on Pickett near Alexandria at Miller Cross Roads the other night and walked to Centreville that night the distance being fourteen miles. We have had some awful times on Pickett lately but I hope it will not be so bad hereafter. Nearly the whole Army is encamped around Centreville. Our Gens. are fortifying very strongly here. It is the best natural position for a fight I have ever seen. Centreville is situated on very high ground with large plains stretching out from it on every side. Our guns are being mounted in such positions that they will mow the enemy for almost a mile.

I was very glad to hear yesterday by W. Lehew that Walter is O.S. of the W. Rangers. When you write you must give me the particulars of the fight as I heard Bowen's company had a fight a few days since. I heard that Mount Cloud distinguished himself in the engagement. Tell Walter he must write to me. I have not received a single line from him since I have been in the Army.

Thousands of reports are flying around this evening as to the movements of the enemy but we don't know when to place confidence in them.

Pa wrote to me to know if I did not want the overcoat I sent up again until he could have me one made. Tell him that I have borrowed Irving's until mine is made. I do not know what I would have done on Pickett without it. Ma please send me down a pair of rough grey pants with a black stripe upon them. If it was not for washing I would take the white cloth pants. I have patched and patched my old pants until nothing but patches are left.

I received the butter and catsup by Gus the other day. Very much obliged to you for them. I will send the can and bottles up by the first opportunity.

You never heard such exorbitant prices as are asked the soldiers for every thing they get. To give you an idea of the prices they ask I went up in Centreville this evening to one of the stores and asked them what was the price of their candles, they told me 12 1/2 cents a piece, that would break old Stephen Girard.

Tell Pa he must come down. We are within seven miles of the Junction now.

William Walters who will hand you this note has gotten a transfer to Captain E[?] Company in the same Regiment with Walter. It will be a good opportunity for you to send anything you have to him.

How has cousin Sue gotten I heard she was very ill.

I heard that G. Williams and John Simpson had returned from Missouri. what company do they intend joining? I must close. Write soon.

Ever your affec. son,
R[ichard] B[ayly] B[uck]

MSS 3064