Letter written by Henry Welch, corporal in the 123rd New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company K, to his father from Camp near the Rapidan River, Virginia, September 22, 1863

---

PAGE IMAGECamp.near.the.Rapidan.River (Rapidan River) .
Sept. 22nd. 1863 My Dear Father (Welch, Luther) ,

I seat myself
this morning to pen a few
word's to you, to let you know
how I am getting along and
what is going on down here.
I am still in the enjoyment of
good health. we have been marching
since I wrote to you. I stood the
march first rate. I am sorry to
say that Philo (Philo) is still rather
too poorly. he has a bad dirrahe (diarrhea)
I am in hopes that he will soon
be sent to Washington (Washington, District of Columbia) to a
hospital, last night we
received order's to have eight
day's ration's on hand ready
to march at short notice,

---

PAGE IMAGE the rebels are across the
River on our front in a
very strong position. I
think that we are going to
try and flank them.
we are bound to drive them to the
rebel capitol (capital) and we are
the boy's that can do the
thing up right, I received
a letter from John (Welch, John)
last evening, my watch
come too, I did not expect
it so soon but I was glad
to see it again, I wrote to
not have it sent untill (until)
I wrote for it, I was afraid
that we might be on the
march and there might
be danger of loseing (losing) it
there is some prospects
of our going into a fight
before long and if the

---

PAGE IMAGE rebs get me I dont want
them to get much money
so I will enclose ten
dollars in this letter.
you must excuse this
wrieting (writing) for I am writeing (writing)
as fast as I can so as not
to be to (too) late for to day's
mail no more this time
my love to all good bye

from your Son Henry Welch (Welch, Henry)

write soon