In Line of Battle Sept 15/63

Dear Mother

I received your letter this morning. I thought now was a good time to answer it as any the regiment is down at the rapidan a skirmishing with the rebel infantry I was number four and am holding the horses it is the first skirmish that I ever mised we arrived at this ford which is called Gerraneam yesterday and supported the third regular battery the rebs opened three batteries on our artillery which was only four pieces the rebs made it to hot for the artillery and they left they then opened two pieces of our regiment at the distance of a bout a half a mile I swore it was hot for about twenty minutes the shells bursted infront us behind and over our heads we had to dismount and lay flat on the ground the shells came so close that it made the horses squat nearly to the ground I had to stop writing for a little while the rebs began to shell the horses and we had to move them out of range as I was telling you about yesterday the rebs gave it up after they saw that they could not drive us away and we held our position all day and night and still hold it killpatrick will drive them away home the river and across if it is not an impossibility Colonel Gerry of the sixth is in command of the Brigade at present Our Briggadier Custer was wounded in the leg day before yesterday while leading the skirmishers he has started for home on a furlough he resides in Monroe Mich Give my love to all I will write again the first opportunity

Good By

Jasper Winchell