1862 August 27 Brandy Station, Va.

                                    Brandy Station, Culpeper County, Va.
                                                  August 27th, 1862
I wrote you, My darling wife, a note yesterday mor
-ning, to be sent by Asa D. Dickenson, Mr. D. didnt call
for it & I found an opportunity to sent it to Richmond
to be mailed.  To day Dickingson has been in & it thus
afforded me the grateful chance of sending you
another note this afternoon
I am still at the same post as when I wrote yesterday
nor do I know when I will be ordered from this
point.  We can hear very little from the front
This morning cannonading was heard beyond
the Rappahannock & I am told Jackson & Ewells
divisions have crossed the river.  Whether or not
any battle has been fought we have not
yet learned.  In what direction the Yankee
army is moving I dont know.  You thus
perceive that I am in a condition of
blissful ignorance as to all the [great?]
military movements that are now
going on.  Kept here in the rear to guard
against any approach of the Yankees in
this direction I can get no intelligence
to write you.________________________
                                I think, dearest, constantly

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I wish, how much I cant say, that I could
be with you, my dearest wife.  But we
must have faith in the mercy of God
and look trustingly to our Heavenly
Father to guide and preserve us
through all our trials & troubles.
I try to put my trust in Him and to
feel the assurance that all will be
well with us under the shelter of
His love.--
                        Kiss the children & Mary &
Alice for me.  Love to Mrs Riddle.
Remember me kindly to the ser-
vants.  How is Craig?____________
     Farewell, my own dear wife. I
take you again in my arms & kissing you
with love & tenderly pray God to have
mercy on you.   Yr affectionate husband
                        John T. Thornton.

John Thruston Thornton,  University of Virginia alumnus, & Lieut. Col., 3rd Virginia Cavalry.

MSS 4021