Headquarters U.S. forces,
Martinsburg, Va.
Oct 20^th 1864
My dear Mother
I have received both of
your letters & am very sorry to learn that
Aunty has been so ill Jennys last
letter tells me that Nelly is some better although
not well yet, I was quite anxious about
her but I hope she will now continue to
improve. I find my post here a
very active & pleasant one. I have got
matters pretty well regulated now so that
it does not require quite so much labor
This you know is the base of Genl Sheridens
supplies. I am charged with numerous duties
I send forward from 1000 to 1500 wagons of supplies
a week, besides all troops that arrive for the
army. Receive all prisoners, wounded, & captured
property, & control the Balt & O R.R. at this point
my command consists of this post & the line
of railroad from near Hancock to Kearneysville
I have three Brigades of infantry & one Battery
but no Cavalry. In addition to this the town

of Martinsburgh (3000 inhabitance) being
under Martial Law there being no Civil Authority
I have all local matters to attend to ^I being^ so
mayor, common council, justice of the peace & anything else you can think of^
^so^ you all see there is not much need of my being
idle. In many respects however my position
is pleasanter than being Colonel of a Reg^t
I am perfectly well & have been so ever
since I have been here. My staff & myself
occupy a large house near the centre of
the town & with Henry Rooker for a cook
we have succeeded in establishing a pretty
good mess
I hope to be able to be at home when Jenny
is confined & I think I can unless there is
some important move is going on at the
time. I am quite glad that you have con-
cluded not to go to Washington at present
Love to Aunty & Fanny
Your Affectionate Son
Will