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Camp near Orange C.H. March 12, 1863

Dear Sister

This is to announce my safe arrival at the Regt on the 10th [?][?] after my departure. I found everything all right and my excuse was sufficient to prevent a court martial. I regret very much having to leave the valley and it is a general thing with our whole Brigade [we'd?] had such a pleasant time and rations were plentiful while down here our supplies are rather short. I suppose Pa has given you a des- cription of our trip up to H. CH. and it is useless for me to attempt it. I am very much pleased to learn that a great many of our men in the hands of the enemy have been and are at present being paroled. These are many of the 55th among them and all have received thirty day furlough I have heard of several. Arthur Allen R.H. Banks, Dr. Boughan & Bedell Berkley from our county are now at home. I was talking to Augt. Williams about his furlough and asked him how he spends his time while at home. He told me his happiest moments were spent in company with cousin Sue I told I judged so and then told him of the report in circulation about him in the neighborhood to the effect that he was playing at the game with equal zeal at the same time but he denied it to the bitter end and said the report was gotten up by some enemy of his. I told him I was ignorant of where it started and he would be compelled to beat out the impression it had made in some minds before he could be successful. Which you know is impossible he [can't?] stand the slightest chance. Tell cousin Sue I am very sorry it was not in my power to visit Springfield before leaving home especially as she had a secret to tell me but if she has any secret for me to commit it writing and it shall be as strictly kept as if delivered viva voce, I am anxious to know the secret and would have gone to Springfield if I had [suspiciond?] a moment what it could be. I suppose sackcloth and ashes are the [?] of the [army?] now in the lower neighborhood as I suppose by this time the 9th has left, some of the boys think that the cavalry have the country completely by the nose and that infan- try do not stand any more chance down there the [?] berries in Robbin season. I told them I can not agree with them and defended the [ladies?] with all my might. I know I was kindly received and hospitably treated everywhere. There is no man worth your atten- tion as the army is still. Remember me to all at home and in the neigh- borhood. Tell Miss Charlotte & Mattie I hope to be able to spend another pleasant evening at the [?] at some future day.

Your brother

Richard Rouzie Jr.

Richard Rouzie Chas. Y Y Potts Richard Rouzie

Davy is quite well