1862 December 15 Lynchburg, Va.

Lynchburg Va Dec 15th 1862
            Mrs. Balsorah Riley
                    Dear Wife
Here I am, where I started
from Oct 9, homeward on
furlough; Would to God
that could be the case
with me again tomorrow
morning but instead of start-
ing home in the morning, I
am bound to start to my
command, which I will
find near Fredericksburg
& which was yesterday &
day before in (according
to dispatches by telegraph) in
a very hard fight there, I
have not heard the particulars
of the fight, as telegrams celdom
give much in detail,
I only know that our
fources are driving the enemy
from all points. the fight
is probably still going on-

[page 2]
I have but few minutes
to write as it is nearly
dark.  I am now sitting
in the Court house on
Court Street, where I & John
Young sat the evening before
we started home, where
I can only give a sigh to
things gone by, x x  I am
in Good health, hope this
will reach you soon, &
find you enjoying all
essential blessing to ensure
your happiness in & during
your devoted husband's
absence.   We are detained
here to day to get transport-
ation, as the transportation
we got in Jackson only
reached this place, we have
to get again here before we
can go farther.  I have passed
through several places where

[page 3]
there were Small pox
there are about 30 cases of
Small pox in this City
I fear I will take it.
The Drs. here have been
very successful with it,
they have lost but few
cases so far.  I wrote to you
in Montgomery (Dec 8) &
in Bristol (Dec 13) in the
former letter I inclosed
$2.50 worth of stamps, let
me know whether you
got them or not, "I want
some milk"!  Write soon
& Direct to Fredericksburg,
Va. be sure to write me all
you know, & allow for
the seam-will you? there
is none of our wounded or
sick in this place from
Co. B. If there is, we can

[page 4]
not find them.  John Barber
has gone to the Reg. & Print
Ford is dead.
                 It is getting
so dark I cannot
see.  I wish you a
happy night's rest, &
tomorrow, a day of enjoy-
ment  Good night
              Yours Truly until
           Death
               F. L. Riley
                       To
             Mrs E B P Riley

possibly Franklin L. Riley, Co.B., 16th Mississippi

MSS  7786-f