1862 August 11 near Culpeper, Va.

      Bivouack of the Rockbridge
         Artillery -- Culpeper
  About 6 or 8 miles above CH
       Monday afternoon
                    Aug. 11, 1862

Dear Father
                    Brother Charles
& myself are both safe
and well.  Our Battery--except
the gun I belong to, was engaged
but only two men were hurt
& they very slightly.  Our
Division is now in reserve
The battle of Saturday was
an unequivocal victory
for us-
     Will write again as soon
as I have opportunity. This
I have now as regards time but we
are separated from our baggage

                             In haste
                              Yours faithfully
                            L. M. Blackford

You see from the above I was not in the action.

MSS 5088