William Elisha Stoker to Elizabeth E. Stoker, September 16, 1863

Camp Near Alexander [Alexandria] Sept. the 16th./63

Dear beloved and affectionate Wife It is with much plesure that I seat my self this morning out in the woods with a peace of plank on my neas for the purpors of penning you a few lines to let you know that I am well and harty and I hope when thees few lines comes to hand they will find you and familey well. Ive no nuse to write you that would interes you. The last time I wrote to you I stated that there was some probability of a fight but I did not think that there would be and shure enough I was right about it. We taken a trip out nearley to little river and campped there too or three days and turned round and come back to the place aboved mentioned. I dont know how long we will stay here but I dont think we will stay at this camp long. I think we will cross back on the other side of the river and go out into the pine hills and strike camps again. McCullers [McCulloch] brigade did not take this last (tronh) with us. They remained at there camps about 20 miles abov where Sid left them on the side of the river next to home. There was a great many of our boys left there. The sick and puney and barefootted and naked, they are deserting as fast as they can and I dont blame them much. If I was naked and barefootted I would desert too long enough to come home and get some close. If we go back on the other side of the river I dont think I will come back on this side any more untill I come home. I think I will come some how either with a furlow or without it. One our boys that has gone home on furlow will be back in a few days and then there will be others furlowed. I may get one this time but I dont know for sertain but if I dont. I shall always beleave I aught to hav one for I want to come home worse than any boddy. I want to see you so bad I dont knowwhat to do. Get sid to tell you all about the arangements that they hav hear. He can tell you more than I can write in a long time. We are fareing tollirable well. We get tollirable plenty of bread and beef and sometimes we get some molasses and flour and bacon but verry seldom. I wish I was there to take dinner with you to day. Language couldent express my feelings to tell how proud I would be. We cant by much to eat. Our wages just about keeps us in tobacco. I try to be as saving as I can to try and save some to send you but I cant save a bit. When you get this let me know if you made wheet enough to make you a plenty of flour or not and how you make out for groceryes. Tell Sid all about how you are getting along so he can tell me. You can tell him a heep of things that you want think to write. I hope I will get there before he leavs but it is unsertain when I will come. I havent seen Thomas since the day Sid left. I saw a man that belongs to Stones Regament and Luillys Co. the other day. He said Billey had ben verry sick for a long time but he has got well and gone up to the command. The helth of this armey is about as it has ben for some time. There is right smart of sickness various disease too tedious to mention. I beleave I hav wrote all that I can think of. Tell Sid to eat lots of good things for me. If he cant eat them for me he can eat them and think of me. Excuse bad writeting and spelling. Nothing more but I remain your affectionate husband untill deth. Kiss Priscilla for me and Ile return the compliment when I come. W. E. Stoker.

To Mrs. Elizabeth E. Stoker