Warrenton 
Oct 13th/63 
Dear Sister: 
 As we have stopped to cook rations I will employ my time in writing as our mess have a cook, so I do not have to cook. 
 We left our camp on the Rapidan very unexpectedly on the 8th. marched to Orange C.H. thence across the Rapidan thence to Madison C.H., thence to Culpepper, thence here.  As yet have had no general engagement but continued skirmishing as the enemy seem disposed not to give us a fight, but as Lee is pressing them very hard I suppose will have a fight on the old plains of Manasses. The Yankee army is very  
 
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much weakened.  We have so far captured above a thousand prisoners and Stuart is still bringing them in by small lots.  The enemy have burnt a great quantity of stores and destroyed the bridges over the railroad.  We are now on their left flank and Hill is endeavoring to get in their rear but is somewhat behind time.  They (the Yankees) may succeed in reaching their entrenchments around Centerville, if not I think they will get such a thrashing as will learn them a lesson for some time to come.  You may think that I am boasting too much, but though we may outnumber 
 
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them I do not trust in our own strength, but in the arm of our omnipotent and righteous God. 
 I suppose I will lose another box if you sent it by Chapin as he has not yet come up but I will be willing to lose anything to accomplish the thrashing of the Yankees.  If we do get into a fight depend upon your brother will do his duty though death be the consequence.  And what if I do fall?  I trust I am prepared, and what a cause to fall in!  Fighting for everything that we hold dear.  But God can protect amidst the storm of war as well as elsewhere.   
 
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Excuse this scratch as I have no writing desk and good bye. 
           A.T.B.