Camp of the 123rd Regt. N.Y.S.V.

Bridgeport, Ala.

Nov. 25, 1863.

Dear Wife,-

I am feeling in a better mood than the last time I wrote. The morning is clear and the sun bright and the air is not cold. I have received two letters from you dated the 12th and 14th. The money was all right. I was not in need of it but will not throw it away.

In reply to inquiry, we are twenty-four miles from the enemy. There is hard fighting at the front now. We are out of the reach of shot and shell, but if it were necessary for me to be there I would not shirk my duty, let it be what it might. I believe my promotion this time came from what I did at Chancellorsville as I did not ask for it. It is well

known that I was not obliged to go into that battle, but did

from a sense of duty to Country, to my family and to myself. How much better I now feel than if I were branded as a coward!

All the officers who have received promotion will on the 29th inst., give a supper to the other officers of the Regiment and to some others outside whom we will invite. We could not get it up for Thanksgiving as we did not have time, we had to put it over until the following Monday. I will write you more about it and send a bill of fare after Monday.

The enemy are deserting very fast and coming into our lines. If they keep on deserting as they have of late, Bragg will have a small army by spring. The more that come in the less we will have to fight.

I now close.

With love,

R. Cruikshank.