Fredericksburg, Va. Aug 9, 1862

Dear parents,

         I received your letter a few days ago while at Newport News and I have just seated myself to answer it.  I am enjoying good health and hope you are all enjoying the same blessings.  We left Newport News a few days ago but not before I got the things you sent me.  They all came all right and they pleased me very much.  Tell Aunt Mary I am a thousand times obliged to her for the index case she sent me.  It was just the very thing I wanted, we are now in Pope's Army.  Old Stonewall Jackson is not far from here and I expect there will be some fighting done here before long.  I like this country a great deal better than the south.  I am glad to get back to the old hills again where I can get plenty of fresh air and good water.  The city of Fredericksburg is about as large as the town of Washington.  It contains the most of its old inhabitants except the able men, there are a great many of them in the rebble army.  They are nearly all strong secesh but they keep very quiet.  Even while I am not writing I am on guard at a secesh farmhouse.  It is a beautiful place, there is a large yard in front of the house full of shade trees.  under one of these is a large yard in front of the house full of shade trees.  Under one of these I am sitting writing and listening to one of the girls in the house playing on the piano.  It seems more like home than any place I have been since I left home.  There are some guerilla bands not far from here but they do not come out and show themselves when our troops get after them they run.  I got the letters you wrote but I did not get the magazines.  I will not want the undershirts you speak of so pap can wear them if they will fit him.  I am very glad you have plenty of fruit this summer.  I would like very much to be there to get some and I hope the war will soon be over so I can get back home to see you all again.  I would give all the world to see you all once more.  I think if we can whip them at Richmond it will wind it up and that will be decided pretty soon.  By the way how are they getting along raising troops up there?  When you write I want you to tell me who is enlisting and all about it.  I think they ought to come out a great deal faster than they are.  The rebbles have now a larger army than we have.  Pap you wanted to know how I got along in the company, well I am getting along splendidly.  There have not been any words or bad feelings with any of the company or Officers.  Since I have been in the boys are all very agreeable and work to one anothers interests for we have splendid company officers.  They will do most anything for their men.  You wanted to know if we got plenty to eat, well we get plenty such as it is.  It is the same old thing over.  It is nothing but crackers, salt meat and bad coffee.  We have quit getting soup.  I do not know the reason.  I think it is bad management of the higher officers but we have to put up with it.  I got a letter last night from you, it had Hilton Head.  I am glad we have come here I feel more like home.  I think we can fight the rebbles here to a better advantage.  I suppose the boys have a great time gathering berries and cherries.  My how I would like to be there.  Is there any school now?  Tell Tommy to never mind now I will soon come home to him if I am spared.  I am very sorry to hear that Aunt Mary is so poorly but I am in hopes she will be getting better before long.  My love to you one and all.  Tell sis I will write to her before long.  Excuse the bad writing.  From your affectionate son.  Alexander Adams.


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