Camp near Alexanria VA

Wednesday Oct 15^th 1862

Sister Fannie

I received your kind letter on the night of the eleventh I and a couple of the boys got in camp about twelve oclock the whole brigade had been on a scout to rappahannock station where we found the rebels but fiew in number but the col who is in command of the brigade did not tackel them we turned back as quick as they come in sight which made the boys angry they called him all of the names they could think of I think if he had been a brave man he would of foght them if our old col had the force that he had which consisted of twoo briggades of cavalry and six pieces of artillery he would of tride to whip them out Mayor Atwood is released and he has been to see us I do not know what is to become of us for nearly all of our officers have sent in their resignations and we cannot raise more than three hundred men fit for duty and our horses have been drove nearly to death and most of them are lame or have sore backs last week my horse went blind You stated in your letter that Burney Peters is sick the last time I saw him he was at centerville and he looked fat and healthy I saw steve mooney he belongs to the fifth be sides a lot more of the detroit boys there is more sickness in our regiment now than there has ever been before but I am well and donot mean to get sick they will halve to put me through rougher times then we have ever been through yet to break me down Jack is well and as full of fun as ever Kiss lola and Johnie for me and little mame also i would like to have their likenesses if it will not cost to much I spoilt that one of lolas by getting it wet when crossing the rappidan kiss ma for me and give my love to all the rest

Good by sister

Jasper Winchell