Rockingham County Va
Aug the 29th 1864

Dear wife

I take my pen in hand this morning to write you a few lines to inform you that I am alive yet.

I have been here for 2 weeks and not able to do anything. I am better now and expect to start to the command tomorrow, which is down the vally someplace near ----burg. I haven't been with the regt since ----- the month. I have had the rheumatism in my back & limbs so I could hardly ----- when I was down or walk. I have got better, but am not entirely well yet, all come from the hard race I had from Moorfield, which I don't expect to get over for the next year if I -----.

I have nothing of much importance to write at presant. I sent Crock a hat by John [Di]lls and a candlestick. Write to me whether you get them or not. I had two fine pair shoes for you, but Fickle lost them on his stampede with several other tricks I had. I would like very much to hear from home now, as I havent heared but once this summer, that was in June. If you write, I dont receive them. Write often if you want me to hear from you, if not dont write at all.

We have had some prety hard fighting down the vally I could hear the cannon for several days. Day before yesterday there ---- S hundred prisoners up the vally . ----- have fallen back across the killed or captured at the stampede. He hasnt been heared from since.

Charles Riley was killed, he was all the man from Russell that were either killed. I was very nearly killed by hard running ----- it may kill me yet. I kept up with the most of their horse for 4 miles, that I think was prety good heat on an empty stomach.

Try and have some wheat sown if possible, sow what you do sow earlyer than summer Barney has been sick, staying 3 miles below me, he has got well and left for the regt. Last week the yankees burned all the wheat stacks and barns, hay stackes & c in the luer vally, as they retreated to the river, spreading destruction as they went, with Jubal Early at their heels.

I will bring my letter to a close as I cant write this morning. Write as soon as you get this and let me hear from Russell once more.

Yours & c
I V Reynolds