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                                                     Camp near Winchester
                                                         Sep 10th 1864

Dear Nat: A long time has transpired since we interchanged civilities. What say you to a renewal of the acquaintance. Where are you? What doing?. When about Petersburg I made several ineffectual efforts to see

         informed

you and was always ^ that you were down at the front, without being told at the front of what, or in which direction you fronted. How do you like the war? What do you think of the fall of Atlanta? What of the nomination of McClellan? Why did you and old Bob Lee allow Grant to get possession of the Weldon Road as soon as we left Reams! – Is not that your best route home. Are not the Yanks between you and your Dulcinea del Toboso? Are you blue, or are you in high spirits and “spilin for a fight.” How comes on the ‘shakin ager.’Do they put you in the trenches with the rest of the boys or do you just go in in order that you may draw coffee & sugar. We are having gay times over here. Have actually had three days of rest in succession, the only three since reaching the valley. Early has chased Sheridan and Sheridan has chased Early, and Early has re-chased Sheridan & Sheridan Early until they have stopped from exhaustion and [Wickhams Bugado?] has actually had three consecutive days of rest. Tis entirely natural under such circumstances that my mind should revert to old acquaintances and old times. Who ever thought when we were boys or even full grown men that we would live to see the day when the Union should be dissolved and when the Old School & New School should come together and yet in our life time both of these events have happened. Do you begin to feel old? Are the gray hairs appearing here & there. What do you think about in times like these. Have you many pleasant associates around you. Do you read books or only newspapers as I do and that occasionally. Have you time for reflection, time for letter writing or as I am always busy without being able one half of the time to see that any thing is accomplished by it.

How are you getting on & what are you doing? How is the Ex Governor? Brig Genl Wise? Does he ever allude now to his gizzard foot & ebo shin administration. Have heard nothing from him for a long time. Would like to hear his views upon the subject of peace and a continuance of the war. And what he thinks of Old Bob Lee’s present position. Do you all intend to hold Petersburg or will Old Bob allow himself to be flanked out of it as Hood was. Changing the subject – How is Sister Nannie & the little one. Always give her a great deal of love for me when you write and invite her earnestly to come up and stay with Mary some: and then there will be direct railroad communication between you.I would be delighted to be with you and Sister Nannie this beau- tiful evening. Could find a great deal more to tell you than I can sitting down here on the wet ground writing on my knee. More especially would I like to be with you in Pr Edward where Mary could also join in the conversation. Suppose you have heard how the Yankees served me. They took all of my mules and horses and greater part of my Negroes. I recovered the negroes but mules & horses still in the vocation. Have had to incur great expense in replacing them and as a consequence entertain serious thought again of quitting the cavalry. Cavalry horses are enormously high A good one cannot be bought for less than $2500 or $3000. I cannot afford to buy many more. The boys in my company are all well, at least those present. Amongst them are Tom & Archer Haskins, Wm Dupuy, Lee & Ino Redd etc etc. Have just heard that Henry [Edwards?] is married. Am glad to hear it as [?] an [?] that his health is improving. Hope that he will in course of time entirely recover from his wound. The Charlotte Troop in McCauslands brigade has been several times near us but I have not had the opportunity of visiting them. I hear that they are all well. Tis growing late and I must close. Give my kindest regards to all the boys whom I know in your company and let me hear from you at your earliest convenience. I would distress you to see the ravages of war on this beautiful valley. Our trials as Virginians have been great during this war, but we must bear them as best as can always trusting in the Great Omniscient Deity, who doeth all things well

                                                       Adieu – Yr Bro Richard