1862 November 27 Franklin on the Blackwater, Va.

                            Franklin on the Blackwater, Va.
                                    November 27th 1862

My Dear Phil[ip Barraud Cabell]
                                   I have been intending to write
ever since arriving here but our Northern connections
over the river have kept everything so lively since my
arrival that I have scarcely had time for letter writing
and possibly should have procrastinated still further
had I not heard that your wife was quite ill from
Jeanie--I am truly sorry to hear it and trust there is
no danger-it is nothing of this low fever I hope-
please tell her for me I am very sorry I am not free
so that I might take Jeanie up to see her, I was very
much disappointed that my application for a furlough
was refused before we were ordered from Richmond so
I might have paid you all a visit but until I
succeed in getting another position I do not suppose
there is any probability of my getting a leave of
absence this winter unless Providence interferes in
some mysterious manner to stop this war; the prospect
of its duration is exceedingly gloomy although my con-
fidence can never be shaken as to the end of it.  I see
that the general opinion is the advance this time will
be either from Fredericksburg or from Suffolk; my im-
pression is that it will probably be from this direction
as Genl. Lee has met them so promptly at Fredericksburg
they cannot well get foothold on this side the Rappahannock
this much is pretty certain that they have just been largely
reinforced at Suffolk--We are looking daily for another

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shelling here but we are better fixed for them than
the last having just gotten the famous Long Tom and
Laughing Charley here, and heretofore we have had
but one rifled piece and that a 6 lbder on the last occa-
sion I think the enemy made about as cowardly an
exhibition of themselves as men will could they outnum-
bered us about six to one if not more, and from the ford
above here where they had already crossed over and
where I had half of one battery to meet them they retreated
with such rapidity that the shot which were put into
the guns were not even fired at them--here where
the river was between they shelled away for an hour or two
before retreating--I suppose Jeanie wrote as I asked her
why I did not get the boots you offered to have made for
me- I am very sorry to learn that Tommy has
given up his place in the Telegraph Office
it seems to me he has turned out of the direct road to
fortune, tho' I do not know what his reasons were
for it.  Please give my love to Miss Pink with
hope that she will soon be right well again-Let
me hear how you all are and especially if she is better-
and believe me as ever
      Affectionately yours
            Alex. Q. Holladay

Alexander Q. Holladay, 12th Battallion Virgnia Light Artillery

MSS 38-111