Camped at the Culpepper C.H. Va. Sept. 24th/63 My Dear Sister I rec. your real good letter of the 20th yesta -rday and was very happy to hear from you, as you say NY City is a place where a person can get most any thing to do if they have a disposition to work and are any ways Smart. and it is a great place to pass away the time; fast, there is so much going on there, but I think I had much rather live in Boston than NY City, for I like N E manners and Customs Much better than any other people. Boston is a better City, but I had rather live in the qwiet City of Manchester ______________________________ 2 by a good deal than either of them. I can pass my time with my little Family much more agreable in M. and I look forward with a great deal of pleasure to the time when I shall (if God will) be with them and Kind Friends again. Yes!!! that will be a happy!! happy!!! day to me, after passing through what I have to be with my Family again, and no doubt as you say, they and all my Friends will be eqwaly as glad to see me, as you say, love and Friendship for those we are seperated from; seems to increase by that seperation, and the longer the seperation the Stronger the love. I long to see those, (as well _____________________________ 3 as my Companion) once more. They must of grown conciderable; since I left home. seemes as though it would be sweeter than ever, only think my time will be out in just one year and two days, just one year from day after to Morrow (Saturday) the 26th of Sept., that will soon pass by. I am glad to hear that Charlies health is so good. Christiana told me that he had rec. the letter I wrote him a while ago. I am in hopes to rec. one from him soon, if he has got a good place in Kt. to Garrison Duty I am glad of it, he will get rid of a good deal of hard Marc -hing; and perhaps fighting. The Old Army of the Potomac _______________________________ 4 will have to continue its Marching hither and thither till the Rebes are driven out of Va. or the Revelion closes. We do not look for much qwiet -ness or rest till that time comes, as you probably have alre -ady learned we have advanced across the Rappahannock to Culpepper, and our advance now holds to the Rapidan River. how long we shall stop here I can not tell; but do no expect to a great while. We have had very Cool weather most of the time since we have been at this place, it has been very Cold Nights as to having warm Clothing, it is good what I have got, but I need a nother woollen Blanket and my Over Coat. We sent our Over Coats and extra Blankets in to Washington just before we Started on the Spring Cam -paign this Spring. We have not got them yet and do not know when we Shall get them. I rec. a letter from Rachel a day or two since; She and the Children were well. my health continues first rate and Spirets good. Tell Charlie that Old Lee has not been able to anihialate the Old Army of the Potomac yet I refer him to Gettysburg. give my love to him when you write and to Kittie. Accept much love to yourself _________________________________________ 1X write to me again soon, and God bless you and yours is the Prayers of you Affectionate Brother T C Cheney