Will Fisher to his brother
Kelly’s Ford, Virginia
August 8, 1863

Dear Brother,

I suppose by this time you are exceedingly anxious to hear from me & likely censure me some for not writing before but I claim that I have had a good excuse until quite lately. That is the few days that we have been laying idle since coming here for you know we were on the continual move for about 2 months. We did not see a day from the day we left Stafford till coming here but what we were on the march or some equally fatiguing duty (fighting for instance) & were often drenched to the skin & had nothing under heavens but what was sopping wet so you can easily see the condition that our stationary and bibles would be in under the circumstances. Writing was out of the question most of the time unless you could borrow some of the officers.
Well here we are again down on the Rappahannock at Kelly’s Ford where we crossed when we went to Chancellorsville. Both sides sustain a line on this river. The pickets are on each bank of the river.
There is an indication of a move at the present. I think the program for the fall campaign will be a reinforcement of 60 or 70,000 from all the armies of the west coming into Tennessee & being thrown forward by the Nashville Railroad into Western Virginia coming on to Gen. Lee’s flank & the noble, superb, courageous, unflinching, glorious Army of the Potomac will strongly press them in the front.
I tell you we have been giving them such doses lately that they are afraid as death of us, especially the cavalry. It is a certain fact that Gen. Kilpatrick with a single brigade of cavalry often drives the whole Rebel Stuart’s cavalry & he could take Richmond in 5 minutes if it wasn’t for the infantry.
We had one fight over the river driving them back to Brandy Station. I suppose you heard of Lieut. Beadle being taken prisoner at Gettysburg. He had but just got back to the regt. from his wounds.
I think we will not have to have but one more grand struggle.
But I must close. My best regard for Sister L. Aunt Taggart is to Cambridge. In the meantime I am your own afec’t brother,

William Garret