Thursday, November 1, 2012

1862 November 2 near Charlestown Va

                           In Camp Near Charlestown, Va.
                                             November 2d  1862

Dear Sister
                  Your letter was received a few days
ago whilst on Picket at Upperville I do not know how
Cousin Eddy got it to me it was given me by one
of my company who said an unknown man gave it
to him, the day I got it we had a skirmish with
the yankeys and I had my horse shot in the mouth
it is a very painful wound and will disiable[sic] him for
some time The ball went through the upper lip through
his tongue and out of his mouth.  I wish I was able
to get another horse and let old Billiards rest he needs
it very much I have written to you twice since you I
was at Haymarket but I suppose that you never
received the letter the last one was from Leetown telling
you of the death of Sergeant Hansbarger he was kil
led in the fight at Paris in which Col J S Green
was wounded Co G was paroled and is now at home
doing very well he received two very severe sabre cuts
in his head. Seg. Hansbarger was shot through his
jaw and had his head split open with a sabre
he died instantly--Genl. D.H.Hill is fighting today
we can hear very distinctly heavy cannonading down
in the direction of Middleburg and Aldie where he
is. I saw him the other day but did not speak to him

[page 2]
I saw Miss Millie Herbert a few days ago she is very well
and asked very warmly after you.  I went down to
Col Dulanys to see her.  Our Company is now very full
numbering about one hundred and ten or fifteen men but
we have never been able to get them all together yet-
I am not in want of anything in the clothing line I lost
my overcoat some time ago and a few days ago I
paid $24 for cloth enough to make me another
one.  I wish I was near enough to get you to make
it up for me it will cost me some 12 or 15 dollars to
have it done--there is no possible chance of getting
a letter home but I think that the army is working
its way down towards Manassas I should not be at
all surprised if it wintered near the same place it did
last year--Uncle Ned was at home when I heard
from him last--I did not go with Genl Stewart to
Pennsylvania my company was on detached service
picketing at Ashbys Gap in the Blue Ridge,  uncle
Allan was very well a few days ago, he was in Stewarts
raid as was Lewis I suppose. I have never seen him
since he left home-his regiment I think is now down in
Loudoun County picketing about Bloomfield and Snick
ersville has he ever found Ada--Winter is again coming
on us and I truly dread it some of these nights are get
ting very chilly--I met with in Upperville a few days
ago Miss Graham one of my Culpeper lady friends

[page 3]
do you know anything of Miss Cary If you do
let me know--Since I last wrote my company
lost one man he was shot at Upperville about
three weeks ago he was from Fairfax his name was
James Ball--I will try and send you a little money
in a few days  I think we shall soon be paid off
We have received no pay since last June--What is
the matter with Major John I hope he is not much
sick I saw Cousin Willie a few days ago he is very
well--Ask Cousin Sally what she and the young
ladies of Powhatan and Amelia do since Johnny Tabb left
have you ever heard from him since he left--I took
supper some time ago with one of the prettiest young la
dies I ever saw she it was near Charlestown but as we
came off the next morning early I could not find out
her name (It is Fanny) If we ever go up that way again
I intend to find out--Is Cousin Willy still Commissary
fro Hills Division and is Jimmy Meade still
with him--Remember me to all of our kind friends
and relatives.  Tell Cousins Sarah and Mary that I
often think of them give my kindest regards to
Cousins Lewis and John, ask cousin John how his
crops turned out have the cots been broken yet
tell Seddon and Jimmy that I asked after them-
and give my love to miss Ellen I want to see them
all very much again direct to Winchester
                               yours aff F.A.D., Jr.

Francis Asbury Dickins, Jr., 1841-1890

MS 5533-d

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