1862 October 25 about 10 miles from Winchester

                         Camp of 2  Co Howitzers about
                    10 miles from Winchester Oct 25th 1862

Dear George  
                      I recd your favour of 26 Sept.
some days which was forwarded to me by Father
some days ago and would have answered it
before now but we have been moving about so
much that I have not had time.
               I am glad that you had such a nice time
on your trip, and almost envy you your visit
to Presbytery.  Oh that I could attend another meeting
at old Lebanon with the same persons who were
there last year.              I left home to join my Co
on the 8th Sept. and after hunting for it for more
than 2 weeks found it near Martinsburg   I had
a very hard time on the road but spent some
very pleasant evenings with strangers you see
I was entirely dependant on private houses for
anything to eat there being no Public houses open
one night I stopped at a Mr Masons who[sic] farm
adjourns Major Tunston's[?] Miss Mary's father  I had
a very pleasant time being introduced to his Daughter
and some Ladies from Winchester who were both
interesting and pretty.   I advise you to set
your cap for Miss Mary for I tell you what
she has got a very fine house large rich farm

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and plenty of Negroes with fruit Trees and
Grape vines  in abundance.
   Our Co was in the fight at Charlestown the
other day you have doubtless seen accounts of it
(the fight) in the News Papers we were driven back having
no support we had only one man wounded and
he not mortally.
  I am very sorry that your Brother Wm's arm is
rising again  I hope that it may be stopped before
it gets as bad as it was before.
  I am very much obliged to you for giving
me an account of the Waynesboro Ladies for I like
very to hear from the very much  I would
like to pay them a visit and am not without
hope of doing so sometime this Winter you must
give my best respects to them.
   I have some hope of getting the position of
"Midshipman"  in the Navy and if I succeed I
think I may safely say I have a "soft" place
for this war.
   give my love to Your Mother and all enquiring
friends and hoping that you will soon be well.
                                 I Remain
                                        Your Afft Friend
                                            John Waldrop
                                               Private
                                               2 Co Howitzers
                                               1 Regt Va Art

P S Paper is scarce
excuse the mistakes
and bad spelling
Write soon. direct as before
and your letter will be forwarded to
me by Father

MSS 2689