My Dear Wife,

Thinking you would expect me to write today I thought I would comply with your request and try and den you a short epistle to let you know that I am well and hope you enjoy the same blessings.

I received a letter from you last Friday. I am sorry you feel so anxious. It will not do any good and only make it worse for you so you must keep up good courage.

The most of the boys are not going to write today. They think we shall be on the move by tomorrow for home. I hope we shall but whether we be or not, I thought it would not be any harm to write a few words.

I cannot write any news about our coming home. The officers especially the Colonel, thinks we shall start tomorrow or next day for certain.

We have had it rainy here for two days passed and it has cooled the ground so it is very good going now on the pike. I should like to start now for home. I think I could make Washington before tomorrow morning if they would give the order.

And now my Dear Wife, I will close by hopeing soon to see you.

C. W. Gooch

Camp at Chantilly, Virginia