Headquarters Feb. 22nd My Dear Sister: I am on guard tonight at headquarters and as I have a stand and chair will write you a few lines. There is nothing unusual going on; nearly all of General Lorings force has left, the rest will leave in a day or so. The Yankees are within twelve miles of this place and as we have a very small force here they could easily take the place but the very name (Jackson) has its terrors for them. We have had several skirmishes with them in which some were killed on both sides but neither gained any advantage. Col. Ashby gave them rather a severe drubbing the other day, killed and captured a good many. I wrote you a letter acknowledging the receipt of the box but forgot to state that I also received your letter with a check for fifteen dollars enclosed. I had no trouble in having it cashed. We have not been paid off yet, so if you had not been so kind as to have sent me the money I dont know what I should have done. They are paying out all the money to those who reenlist and I do [Page 2] not expect to get any for some time but when I do I will return yours immediately. I have not heard from Watson in several days, when I last heard he was quite sick, but I suppose not seriously. I succeeded today in getting a cook for our mess; he came from Rockbridge with Coffee but left that individual in Staunton. There is nothing of interest, Good bye Ted