.MTI4Ng.MjIzMQ

Camp in Orange County Va

Nov 21st [18]63

My Dear Miss Hattie,

Getting back a day

or two ago from a very

short visit home, I find the

very kind present you sent me

by mail.

A most welcome sight even under

ordinary circumstances and one for

which I send you my sincere

thanks, but I can not tell

you how gratefully I received it.

Coming as I did just from

home, where I bade a sad good

bye to my family - one of whom

at least - in all probability

I shall not see again, I felt

very lonely - cut off from all

I held dear & quite disheartened,

when handed unexpectedly to

me, was your present - the

Bible, tho was another token

of your kind remembrance

[?] to say "find consolation here"

[Page 2]

You are with the [work?] of us, among

the many thoughts which [crowd?]

upon this brain, an occasional

good one will pass -

I thank you sincerely for being

instrumental in sending me

the book.

We are preparing tonight for

a battle tomorrow, Meade having

crossed the river below has

[?ed] will probably come

up on our flank. The gentle-

men around me are silent

& sad at the prospect of another

engagement. They are thinking

of the many - very many - dear

ones who have fallen - of their

hearthstones made desolate, of

the hearts which are mour-

ning. Do you wonder they are

quiet and sad? - Still more when

they think of those yet to go -

and which of those left will

be chosen. Indeed it is a

subject for silence & sadness.

[Page 3]

I only wonder I mention

it here. In fact, I'm surprised

[scratch out] what I have written so

unlike what I usually say -

so uncalled for and disconnected.

But I know an opportunity

for writing another will not

come for some time & I [?]

[?] think you will forgive

as you have some other

blindness of mine. This letter

which if I kept to read tomorrow

would never be sent.

I hope you are happy in your

new home. I know you are

useful - & I earnestly trust

that we may meet again

soon. & I have the pleasure

of another one of our "talks"

which I remember so well &

valued so highly -

Truly your Friend,

Hunter McGuire