The Civil War Letters Suffolk, Virginia January 11, 1863

Suffolk Va Jany 11th 1863

My Dear Wife

i received your very welcome letter this morning and i was very glad to hear from and to know that you and Lizzie are well and injoying good health  i got back to camp last night at 11 oclock from four days Scout soaked wet to the skin and almost perished with the cold  we started out on wednesday morning  it was very cold when we started  after Scouting till night we put up in the edge of a pine woods to feed our horses and get some Supper  we layed down to get some rest but they was little rest for us  as soon we got layed down a snow storm set in on us and continued snowing all night  we had no shelter so we had to stand it as best we could  at 4 oclock thursday morning got some wood  made fire  got Breakfast mounted our horses and started on our journey   Snow about 6 inches deep

we Reconnoiterd Carrsville and returned to Holland Corners  Stopped snowing  commenced Raining  whent to Somerton  got supper  traveled all night  stopped friday morning for rest but no Breakfast  after 1 hours rest started back to Holland Corners  stopped Raining commenced to freeze which made our wet clothes feel very nice and comfortable

from Hollands we was orderd to Windsor  we heard the Rebels was there  arrived near Windsor 10 oclock saturday  captured two Rebel Pickets  all we could find while we was at Windsor  it commenced to rain in torrents  at 4 oclock we started for Suffolk where we arrived at 12 oclock Saturday night

when we got in camp i was almost Perished with cold  Both my Boots was full of water and my clothes was just as if i had been in the River  during the four days i was out i never slept one moment  so you can form some idea of what Scouting realy is in the Winter season  though i sufferd more on this scout than i have done on any since i have been in the service  i have got rather Bad cold  my limbs feel rather stiff but i will be all right in a day or two

we are now out three and four days evry week. but such hardships will not last for ever  i always look forward to that happy time when we shall meet again  I hope to part no more

i have no news to send  things about Suffolk are as usal

the sun is out today and we are drying our clothes and cleaning the mud off them.

Dear Maggie  you will get tired reading my cheerless letter  i will perhaps be in better spirit when i write the next  Dear Wife you must think it rather hard that i have not sent you some money before and i am very sorry that i have not been able to send you some before now  the Paymaster i am told will pay us a visit before long

Dear wife  i have no more to say at present  give my Love to all inquiring Friends

Dear wife  i remain as ever
Your Affectionate Husband
William Lancaster

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