1862 November 24 Spotsylvania Co., Va.

Spottsylvania Co Va Camp near Fredricksburg
Nov the 24  1862

My Dear cousin
                         I write you a few lines this
morning which ill inform you that my
self and John is yet in the land of
the living and injonying a reasonable portion
of health and much hopeing when this comes
to hand it may find you and all injouying
the same great blesing,  I have no news of intrust
to write, we have bin marching for the last
four days, we got here yesterday eavning, I understand
thare is plenty of yankees near hear, tho I havent
seen eny of them, we met the citerzens moveing
out yesterday as we came in, thay said the yankees
was going to shell the town yesterday, tho they
hav enot commenced shelling yet, I would not
be surprised to hear the canon at eny time,
I think our men is waiting for the yankees
to open the ball, I hope thay will leave
while our Generals is waiting for them to
commence fighting, I think thare is verry strong
force here on both sides, if we have a battle
here I expect it will be verry hard one,
I got a letter from sister Mary last friday
dated 17th inst if you see her be fore
Cliff Perrie starts tel her not to send
our coats I must as the mail is about
to start write to me soon

[page 2]
and direct your letters to
Picketts divition Near Fredricksburg
                      James Booker
                 to miss C[harity].U[nity]. Blair

James Booker and his twin brother John, were in Co. D. 38th Virginia, the Whitmell Guards

MSS 11237