1863 January 2 Rappahannock Caroline Co. Va

                                        Rappahannock Caroline Co. Va
                                                 Jany 2nd 1863

Dear Aunt  (Mrs. Mary Jane Lee)
                      Your kind favor with accompanying
documents per Archer reached me yesterday.  Accept
my heartfelt thanks for your kind remembrance
of me.  the Tobacco is most delicious and say to
Uncle C I will comply with request, as soon as I
see my Cousin Fitz here.  this will [be] handed you by
Archer who I am afraid I cannot get
this year, he tells me he is hired to Mr [Seth?] Halsey
at 200$.  I have written to Mr H. requesting him to let
me have Archer but do not know that he will do so
Archer is very anxious to return and I am  more than
anxious he should do so.  Would it be too much trouble
for Uncle C. to see Mr H at the Wanhouse, and put
in a word for me.   I do not know how I am to
get along without, as he is the best friend I
have in service.  Since the battle Fredericks
burg we have been lying idle in camp, mounting
Horses & Men. We have now nearly all Horses
necessary for Horse Artillery, and expect soon
to be in active service.  Stuart has returned
from his Raid, and has been quite successfull
Nothing transpiring along the banks of the River
at present. The Yanks what few there is
left on the opposite side are very quiet.
            Hope ere this you have entirely
recovered your good health, cousin Sallie also.
How is Miss Wiatt getting along with Beaux
Heard from Harry [or Harvey?] last week, he
was still waiting on Gen Lee.
           Will write in a day or
two & try and be more interesting and
unhurried
                           Love to All
                                  Yours Truly Dick

Lt. Charles Richard Phelps of the Beauregard Rifles.

MSS 2920