Camp of 8th Gaskins Mills, Va Nov. 9. Dear All, Sunday AM we have recd, this morning orders from Corps Hd. Qts. for special prayer to be offered in the Regts for the success of our arms in the battle Ain which we soon expect to be engaged. I think the order is most welcome to all I do rejoice to see that Genl. Wilcox desires the help of the Allmighty one & is willing to acknowledge it. Such orders are too rarely promulgated, I think, when I remember the cause which we are fighting. We had our first snow storm Friday. We had recd orders to have every thing packed & be ready to march at 8 AM. We had marched nearly 20 miles I should judge the previous day & were tired enough. The snow commenced falling at 8 o'clock & we had to sit in the cold wind & snow with no shelter until one o'clock waiting the final march- ing orders. We decided that we were at last tasting the delights of a winter campaign. We marched only 4 or 5 miles to this place but it was nearly dark when we arrived. the snow tho' only about two inches deep was sufficient to make the roads quite muddy & very slippery. Our wagon train did not get on until one or two in the morning, so we were without tents that night. I mean the officers now - the men carry their tents. We lay down about midnight with our feet to a big fire & slept some before daylight. I had had a nice nap during the evening lying on a board, not over six inches wide, with one end resting on the great log our fire was built against so that my back was warm as could be. As I write the ashes are blowing all over me & the smoke is so thick that my eyes are nearly out & so it is all the time, go which side you will the smoke follows. I do think it is strange that we can stand this expo- sure so well. Last Wednesday night I was up all night on Picket, (I slept one hour from 2 to 3 & woke up so cold that I had to walk round pretty smartly tired as I was to get warm) & without any fire & yet the next day I was able to march 15 or 20 miles, tho' times hard. I have had one of my usual colds in the head but it is now gradually wearing off & I really think I shall be over it just as quickly as tho' I was at home. It has not been hard at all only running more &c - uncomfortable We have seen no fighting yet & I hope we may not Marching is tough enough but few of us will complain if by marching we can save fighting. One day we A(Col Harlands brigade) were ordered forward to support Genl Pleasantons advance & came up just in time to see a cavalry charge & the rebels skedaddle, that's the nearest we have been. I fear I shall not see the Harpers Ferry package at present. We sent to the office for a part of the express but the Agents would not let the man we sent have any (tho' he had our orders for it) unless he would take the whole & that he could not do. I have always found Army Express agents the most independant unaccomodating of men. Capt. Ripley carried home his company book, in his trunk & has lately sent them by Express to Harpers F. & our great desire is to get them for Co. C. muster rolls can't be made without them & the Regt will not be paid until all the rolls are in. Therefore the major has sent back again & every effort will be made but as the Lieut goes on horseback he will be unable to get my package. If my letter had reached you promptly there would have been just time for the package to have reached me. [written atop 2nd & 3rd pages, one line] I am sorry to write such a gloomy letter but my hands are numb & my eyes are all smoke I wish you would send one or two warm woolen Rover shirts & drawers by mail. I think the cost of sending will not be greater if the package is open at the end (ask how to do it) I think it will reach me & I do need them. Dont let Lieut Shepard bring a trunk when he comes in for he would very likely have to throw it away. Only a valise is allowed. The order calling for prayer we received about 9 AM & the time set for the service was 12 So we now sure of remaining in one place three hours. This is the first time since leaving Pleasant Valley that we have been sure of remaining one hour. sometimes the Reveille beats at 3 oclock in the morning & sometimes we march just be- fore night & through all the - discomforts - it is wonderful how happy & - comfortable - we are. We sing round the fire at night. Last night we revived old "Scotland's burning." When the marches are not very long nor very fast the time passes quite pleasantly as much so to me as any portion of it. We are more comfortable than during many portions of our No Carolina experience I truly think but we have to recall that while this is present with us. Please remember me to all. Steve Meech if he has not gone. I suppose he will not see real service this winter. Very best love to you dear all, how I long to see you in our dear old home, God grant I soon may in health & strength Chas