Near Culpepper Va 

Dec 8th 1863

My own dear Grandfather, 

Your ever kind and welcome letters were both duly received and I have not had an opportunity before to reply to them. It gives me great pleasure to know that you are well and enjoying yourself with the old friends in Crown Point. I wish that I too might see you once more. Since I wrote Aunt, we have again crossed the Rapidan River and met the enemy in a series of terrible contests [Mine Run Campaign]. My health at present is not very good. I got wet and took a fever cold while on the skirmish line before the enemy and the fatigues and hardships I have had to undergo have caused it to settle on my lungs. I think I will soon get over it though. It is a great wonder that I have not been sick or disabled in any way before but our Heavenly Father has watched over and protected me through all.

I never would have believed before I enlisted that any live person could have possibly stood what I have had to some of the time. We are now encamped in the same place we were before this late move The weather is pretty cool and some of our men actually froze to death on the outposts standing picket all night without a fire and not being relieved. This was while we were on the other side of the River. Regarding my reenlisting, I will say I have given up the idea. I do want to get where I can study so bad that I cannot persuade myself to remain in the service any longer. My mind is going to ruin here and needs improving badly. It is so hard to do right here. I sometimes wish that I might get off alone somewhere and live and then I think I might be good.

I must now close this and write a little to Aunt Melissa. Do write me, Dear Grandfather, whenever you can make it convenient. Excuse hasty writing and all blunders. Accept with this the true esteem of your loving,

Grandson 

Covell A. Woods 

Letters of Alfred Covell Woods. 

Contributed by J. Tierney