Frederick County Va
July the 16th 1864

Dear wife

I take my pen in hand this morning to let you know I am well, hoping these lines may find you & the rest of the family well. I am some 5 miles above Winchester but not with the command, nor havent been for the last 25 or 30 days. Our horses give out at woodstock in the vally and we left them & took it afoot for M.D., but couldnt overtake the regiment. The yankees got between us and the command near hagertown, M.D. & we had to come out in a hurry. There was six of us, we got a horse a piece and struck for Dixe. The rest of the command went on to Frederick City & from there to Balt City.

I understand they have been in sight of Washington City, but didnt try to take it. I hear this morning that they are coming out again, crossing the river at Leesburg Va. We crossed going in at Shepherdstown Va. We will get with the command shrtly if they are coming out. I want to see the boys and hear if any got hurt in the rounds.

We got some hurt at the fight at Martinsburg. Our Capt got his busser shot off, the ball striking his upper lip & coming out on the side of the face, only a flesh wound, not dangerous. Bud Boys, was wounded at the same fight through the bowels which is a dangerous wound, it not mortal. I expect to hear of some of the other boys geting wounded in M.D., but I hope not.

I hear the people of S Wn Va are very much down in the mouth about the war, as all communication by telegraph and railroad are cut off, and they cant get the news regularly. They think the rebbels are all driven out the south, not so, our soldiers are in better spirits, better health and get better rations than they have for two years.

I think our prospects are brightening every day, and it we are as successfull the rest of the summer's campaign as we have been so far, 64 will winde up the war between north and south. I may be mistaken, I hope not.

We hold all the vally of Va now, which has been occupied by the enemy for some 8 months & Grant has been geting some of the helishest lickings ever a Gen did get. I heared this morning that he was leaving Petersburg for Washington. I dont give it as true, only as rumer, if so, they wont try Richmond any more. I have been reading the yankee papers which say Grant cant get to Richmond, that he has lost over one hundred fifty thousand men already. They appear to have great confusion in the north in regard to the way Grant has drove his men up to Lee's breastwork & had them slaughtered, feeding as they call it his men right in the mouths of Lee's cannon.

I will close my letter for want of paper. Please write as soon as you get this. I havent heared from home since I left. I am very anxious to hear from you. Direct to McCausland's Brigade Co (A) 16 Va Cavl.

Yours truly
I V Reynolds