Camp Stonewall, 
August 3rd/63 
Dear Sister: 
 I have just received your letter of the 22nd. of July, the first mail we have had for some time. 
 We are now in camp near Orange, C.H., arrived here Saturday evening.  Yesterday heard a sermon from the Rev. Mr. McNear of Monroe, who is for the present acting Chaplin for our regiment, a very good sermon but rather too much on the Methodist order.  In the evening attended a meeting of the Christian Association which meetings are very pleasant and instructive.  I believe I gave you an account of our mode of conducting these meetings and their object &c. 
 
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 After dark attended the usual Prayer Meetings, which are held every evening.   
 The religious interest has somewhat abated since our march commenced, dangers which have been passed through seem to harden the hearts of men.  A day or so ago I saw a game of cards going on, the first I have seen since I came back, and before this campaign you could seldom hear an oath, now it grates on your ears at every turn.  Still there is a great deal of interest in the Brigade.  Yesterday it was stated in the association that one of the Cols. in the Brigade was greatly interested and several line officers.   
 We have two excellent Chaplins  
 
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in the Brig., Rev. Mr. Vass of the 27th. and Hopkins of the 2nd.  I wish we had Wm. Junkin for ours, he had a great deal of influence in the Reg. and the men liked him very much.  I wish often that he was back, can he not come?  This morning I took off the only suit I have and had them washed, paying $1.00 for the three pieces and now I feel that I am clean, a feeling I have been a stranger to for a long time, but this suit is write and soon becomes dirty and we seldom have a chance to wash, so I suppose I will be dirty until winter puts an end to marching, as an active campaign seems to be the order of the day.   
 
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I expect the next trial of arms will be on the banks of the Rapidan, it will be the bloodiest conflict of the war, this army thinks they have the Gettysburg spot to wipe out.   
 Send down my clothes by the first safe opportunity.  I saw Mr. Leech yesterday, that would have been a good opportunity if they were ready.   
 I am going out this evening to gather some blackberries to make me a pie, as we have been living on them since we came across the Ridge.  As it is getting somewhat cooler I will start.  Get your basket and come along. 
Goodbye 
Ted.