Dear Mother

     Having an opportunity I again write to you this is the third time I have written not yet received an answer. I am well as usual My chills has left me at last. we are Camped at the same place yet and there is a talk of our Staying in this county until the first of May. I hope it is so though our horses are not faring so well as they have been Food is getting scarce all the corn we get is from the Northern Neck. My horse has not reduced in flesh much he was valued a few days for $1720. dollars two hundred dollars more than my horse in the company John Billingsley [i.e., Capt. John A. Billingsley, Co. I, 9th Virginia Cavalry] & all the Boys from Point Lookout I hear is home But poor Jimmy & Lunsford [i.e., Pvts. James O. Peed and John Lawson Lunsford, Co. I, 9th Virginia Cavalry] Have you seen Jim allensworth [i.e., Pvt. James J. Allensworth, Co. I, 9th Virginia Cavalry] or Trigger to get a true statement about him. I hope you have & it is favourable. write me word. have you ever heard from the letter you sent Mr. Stuarts. I send this by John Olive [i.e., Pvt. John T. Olive, Co. I, 9th Virginia Cavalry]. he has promised to contrive it to you. Phil is very poorly with a cold. The bad weather we have had has given most all of us colds. Our Regt had a Tableau near the camp last Thursday there was a large turn out of Ladies. the play was riding for a ring & the man that took the ring the most had to crown the best looking Lady there. it was a right smash show to me. No war news of any importance Gen Grant is in Command of the army of the potomac. I must close give my love to all enquiring friends, Kiah Potts [i.e., Pvt. Hezekiah Potts, Co. I, 9th Virginia Cavalry] Geo Hales [i.e., Pvt. George W. Hales, Co. I, 9th Virginia Cavalry] as well. Good Bye. from your Devoted Son until death —

John N. Peed

April 4th 1864