Martinsburg V. A. February the 4th A. D 1863

Martinsburg V. A. February the 4th A. D 1863

Mrs Rachel DunbarBeloved and ever remembered Aunt it is with pleasure that I avail myself of the present opportunity to write you a few lines to let you know that i am well at present. and i sencerely hope that these few lines may find you and your dear family the happy possessors of good health I wrote you a letter five of six weeks ago and have looked anxiously for an answer ever since but i have recieved none yet i fear my letter did not reach you. as you will see by the heading of this letter we are sill at Martinsburg berkley county V A where we have been stationed for several weeks the weather is colder to day than it has been this winter the snow last week fell to a depth of 14 of 16 inches which is still laying on and although the weather is severe for this part of the country it is not to be compared to what I have seen in Ohio we are very comfortably clothed and have good warm tents to stay in so you see we dont suffer any with the cold the health of our regiment is very much on the decline we have had about two deaths a week since we came here and by the present appearances i fear there is several sick persons in the hospitals who will not live long the number of persons in the hospitals is about 80 and about 150 more who are unfit for duty the principal diseases are typhoid fever the measles and some few cases of small pox my health was never so good as it is at present for which i am very thankful for a person has a very poor chance when he gets sick here i want you to write ma a letter as soon as you get this for dear aunt i want to hear from you very bad My best respects to uncle George and the rest of the family no more at present for my ink is pale my pen is bad my hand is tired and supper is ready no more now but ever remain your affectionate nephew David CloseDavid Close high private