Letter dated September 18th, 1863
Sept. 18, 1863
In camp near Culpeper, Virginia
Dear wife
I now take this opportunity to write to you to let you know that I am well yet. Feel first rate, only a little lonesome some times. We started from the camp where I wrote you, near Rappahannock Station, day before yesterday morning. Wednesday, early in the morning, we was ordered to pack long before daylight. We marched 14 or 15 miles from the Rappahannock towards Rapidan. The rebels are on the other side of the Rapidan.
I got your letters after we got here last night; two of them. One was wrote to Malone, the other to the island. I was glad to hear that you was all well. It was the first word that I had heard from you since I left home. We left the island before I heard a word from
anyone. When we got to the regiment I wrote to an orderly sergeant there and he sent my letters to me. I got a package of 15 letters; 4 for myself and one for Henry, the rest for the other boys in our company. I got them last night. One was from I. M. P. and the other from John Ryel and 2 from you.
Henry Knox was brought up in the ambulance. He is as well as ever, but his ankle is lame and he can't walk with the rest of us. He was sent to the hospital tent. He will probably be sent to the hospital and probably home. I took his knapsack over to the hospital about a mile from the camp. There was some ambulances sent over after the sick tonight. We expect to leave here tomorrow.
My clothes; I sent my coat and pants, hat; I kept my boots, socks, shirt. I wrote you to send me a shirt if you can send me some
color them blue; but don't send them unless you think I can get them. I got 20 dollars and 80 cents last Tuesday. I sent 10 dollars to I. M. P. I will send you 5 dollars; that will leave me 5. I can't get my likeness taken here less than one dollar. I don't think I shall get it but you must send yours. I shall send the rest of my money to Palmer, if I get any more, and if you want it you can write to me.
It is 9 o'clock and I must stop
Write to me soon no more
Yours as ever W.W.vanAmber
to his wife Maryette