Camp Stonewall Brig  Nov 19th/63 
Dear Sister: 
 I had certainly intended to write sooner, but the day after my note by Middleton, we were ordered from camp to the line of battle, along the banks of the Rapidan and commenced throwing up a line of works to connect with the Chancellorville line.  We worked two days and have details working to day.  We now have a line from Liberty Mills, in Madison to Fredericksburg with the exception of a short distance from Chancellorsville to Fredeicksburg so are prepared to meet the valiant Yanks at any point in Northern Virginia.   
 We have just heard the Rockbridge Home Guards (after performing deeds of valor and making marches of which the army of Northern Virginia might be proud) have returned home with banners covered all over with victory, of which I am certainly glad, for I did not wish to receive another letter as demoralized as your last.  You will in the future, I hope, place more confidence in the heroic Guards as they have proved themselves worthy of special confidence.  And I trust that Averill has learned such a lesson as not again to endeavor to imperil your section or again aim at the destruction of the West Point of Va. 
 
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I suppose Pax., Patton, and Paxton have had their fill of soldiering and are willing in the language of Alex Glasgow, "To retire to the shades of his Tuscan Villas and spend the remnant of their days in domestic tranquility."   
 I am still enjoying my box.  Our mess received three and have been living like princes, we will not condescend to eat Confederate beef and bread. 
 My best love to the Paxton and Patton.  Nuts. 
A.T.B.