Near Culpeper, Va. Nov 18th, /63 

My Dear Aunt Melissa,

I have been waiting a long time (seemingly) for a letter from you and as I am at leisure this beautiful afternoon I have concluded to write again hoping that I may have better success in getting a reply. Since I wrote you we have again met the foe in an almost hand to hand struggle and have caused Him to ingloriously fly from a line of as strong fortifications as I ever saw [engagement at Rappahannock Station and Kelly's Ford, November, 7, 1863]. God has been truly very merciful to me as I am still spared and blessed with good health and am as happy as the circumstances under which I am situated will permit. The weather here is beautiful the sky is so clear and the air so cool and bracing that one cannot help feeling well.

Aunt Melissa, I am strongly tempted to reenlist. I have been offered a position as Orderly Sergeant with a good chance to obtain a Lieutenant's Commission in a battery of Light Artillery which the Captain [James Magee] of our Company is raising. He (the Captain) is a noble man so good and brave. I should have reenlisted before this were it not for those letters which have been sent from England. How I would like very much to see my relatives there but I think I ought to remain here. Our beloved Country needs every man that is situated as I am to defend her rights and maintain her laws. I do not expect much in the line of property from England. If I reenlist I can obtain a Furlough of thirty days at least if not longer and shall be in the State nearly all the winter with the battery to be reorganized. I shall also receive a bounty of nearly six hundred dollars and my pay as Orderly Sergeant will amount to twenty dollars a month. How I wish you would write me what you think about this. Is it not my duty to again volunteer in our Countrys Services? I am young strong and healthy with no one depending upon me for support at home. I know my duty as a Soldier and an perfectly accustomed to the privations and hardships that I will have to undergo.

Taking all this into consideration I think it my duty to do so. I will now draw this to a close hoping to hear from you soon. Give my love to Uncle Reuben and all friends. Accept with this the unceasing esteem of Your Affectionate Nephew, Covell

P.S. I will say that the term that I now have to serve (7 months) will be counted in the new enlistment for three more years. Excuse hasty writing. Goodbye 

Address:

Alfred C. Wood

Co E 62nd Regt. N.Y.S.Vols. via Washington D.C.