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the newlyweds spent the next month in the embrace of their families in Milton and Lincolnton, and in the mountains of western North Carolina. Only reluctantly did Ramseur return to military duties. He found that in his absence his brigade engaged in a skirmish on November 7 at Kelly’s Ford, losing a quarter of its men. The Thirtieth North Carolina regiment showed poorly, with almost 300 soldiers surrendering to the Yankees. Camp on the Rapidan Nov 24th 1863 My Own Darling Wife, We arrived here safely last night. I am sorry to say that I find my Brigade reduced more than I expected by the fight at Kelly’s Ford, which affair , I fear, was rather badly managed by the Offrs. in command. The men fought bravely and well. My loss was 290 captured, and about fifty killed and wounded.1 Every body seems glad to see me. And as one of my offrs. just remarked, my presence seemed to reanimate the Brigade so that it was again as of old, joyous and gay, daring and brave. Like a proper soldier, I have been very busy, inquiring into matters concerning the Interior police of my camp, and examining our line of fortifications . I have found it necessary to inaugurate some changes already. I expect to be kept very busy for two or three weeks yet. 1. Colonel Cox served as interim brigade commander. The Federals crossed Kelly’s Ford on the Rappahannock River, encountering the Second North Carolina, which slowed the advance by firing from rifle pits. When the Thirtieth North Carolina was sent forward in support, a large number of its soldiers were captured when they refused to leave buildings they occupied for shelter. OR, 29(1):612, 632. 6 Brigade Commander (II), November 1863–May 1864 176 Brigade Commander (II) Oh! My Darling Wife, how I have missed you! It is so hard to be thus separated from you altho’ it is only for a short time, as we hope. I am going out this evening to search after a boarding house for you. I hope Caleb will be well enough to bring you on next week. You must tell him to drive off the chills & be ready to come on when I write for him. I do hope the poor fellow will recover entirely. I fear I can not wait patiently longer than next week. In fact, I know I can not for I am being far from patiently waiting now. But you know my notions of duty, so that I bear all things as cheerfully as possible. Although I feel this separation from you so keenly, yet I have bright hopes of passing the winter in pleasant quarters and with my Darling Wife as my companion. I saw Gen’l. Rodes but a short time this morning. He said, wait a week or two and we will fix up famously for the winter. He will bring Mrs. Rodes here, and I expect we will occupy a vacant house near our Camp. All of us. Would that not be nice? But I will write you more fully of all of our arrangements next time I write. I so much wish you had been in Richmond with me. All my Friends were ready and waiting to offer you their congratulations. Mrs. Huger & Mrs. [Celestine] Preston especially were anxious to see you. Both send much love to you and say they will surely call on you when you pass thro’ if they know when you are in the City. I went to the Monumental Church (“Piskey”) Sunday morn’g. & to Dr. Minnegerode’s Sunday Eve’g.2 and heard two excellent sermons. I did not go to Our Church,3 because all of them were occupied by Brothers, Members of the Great Methodist Conference. And now Darling Little Wife, let me ask you some questions. How are you Dearest? Have you borne my absence bravely and cheerfully as I wanted you to do? Have you visited your friends & had a pleasant time? Have you been right well, even since I left? Have you thought of me often at the evening hour when our most tender love seemed even more sweet, more tender, more removed from all things earthly? Have you, My Heart’s Darling, my precious Wife, Have you prayed for me, at the hour when we used to pray together to our Heavenly Father to bless us? Your prayers, My Darling Wife are most precious to me! Oh! May Our Blessed Saviour ever...

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