Dear Mother

     You must excuse me for not writing before this for I assure you that I have not had the time directly after I wrote to you the last time part of our Division moved to near charlottesville & camped two day preparatory we thought for winter quarters. But on the 14th our two Brigades Ours & Wickams [i.e., Brig. Gen. Williams C. Wickham's] Started for the valley we got as far as Stanton & Stayed one day & then we were ordered to Salem a distance of one hundred miles & upwards to meet General Avrill [i.e., Brig. Gen. William W. Averell, USA] with about three thousand Cavalry. I got as far as Buchanan on the South Side of the James river & my old mare broke down & I had to come back But She is improving now. the Regiment went on but did not not Catch up with the yankees. the yankee

done a great deal of damage bunt Salem depot with about two hundred thousand pounds of bacon got a great many of our government horses &c. & then returned unhurt do you recollect that rainy day thursd & thursday & night we were out in all of it wast it cold I thought I should freeze the Regt is still out down towards Winchester it is reported that the yankees are advancing in that direction. I met very nice people in the mountians I got Several meals & they would not take a cent for it. we have a good deal of cold weather But it is no more than we can expect at this Season of the Year. this is our Camp for the winter. Orders has Just come to put up Shelter for our horses. I am going to get off home as soon as the Regt comes in if possible. If details for horses are given I am sure to get off

Balwin Owens [i.e., Pvt. Baldwin J. Owens, Co. I, 9th Virginia Cavalry] Henry Hudson [i.e., R. Henry Hudson] & Mr. Hamelton [i.e., Pvt. Edward L. Hamilton, Co. I, 9th Virginia Cavalry] are under guard at charlottesville held as conscripts I am told that Balwin is nearly crazy I dont Know what will be done with them. I Suppose you are done shucking corn. I have not heard from Jim [i.e., the author's brother, Pvt. James Oscar Peed, Co. I, 9th Virginia Cavalry] lately have you. I am in hopes he is doing well. I saw in the papers the other day where Some three hundred prisoners escaped from point Lookout & I Said when I was reading to myself Suppose one of them is Jim. I have had the ague & fever again & have it now slightly I dont mind it now this the Eight attack this fall. I must close Give my love to all, tell uncle John [i.e., Pvt. John E. Owens, Co. I, 9th Virginia Cavalry] I miss him a great deal about fixing winters quarters. If you get this before Charly Berry [i.e., Pvt. Charles Aston Berry, Co. B, 9th Virginia Cavalry] leaves write me all the news. You must excuse bad writing for I am sure it is the worst paper I ever wrote on.

Good Bye
John N. Peed

December 30th 1863

no news of any importance this morning. I missed my Chills Yesterday. All the Boys is well. Good Bye

John N. Peed

Dec. 30 1863
Give my love to the Boy.