Dear Sisters:
I have not written home for about a month and have not heard from home for a longer period of time. The reason why I have not written is I have not had an opportunity and we were not where we could send out mail for the railroad was torn up. I suppose the same is the reason I have not heard from home. I have enjoyed good health since I wrote mother, ( I beleive on the 5th). We have been on the march ever since. The next night after I wrote home, we left the fortifications below Richmond and came to the city about daylight. We remained there some three or four hours which gave me an opportunity of looking around. If I had time I might entertain you awhile with a narrative of the curiosities and scenes of city life, but it would take too long and too much paper but I will tell you something of the public square and leave the rest for verbal conversation, when I see you again and find you all living. Well to proceed, the Public Square is situated near the center of the city. It is traversed in every direction by nice walks decorated with shrubbery on either side and perfumed by flowers of various kinds and the whole (except the walks) carpeted with the verdant carpet of nature   But the greatest curiosity of the place is the summit of which is the statue of Washington mounted upon a large charger and pointing with his right hand toward the south. It is almost as complete as nature. Also the statues of Henry Clay, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson and Mason are standing in the attitude of orators so natural that you almost imagine you can hear the voices of the speaker pouring forth in eloquence upon the political topics of the day. Enough on this subject for the present. About 9 o clock we got on the cars, (VA, and C.R.R.)and set out for Staunton. The Yankees were then here. We arrived and stopped at Waynesboro. In the meantime, the Yankees moved on by way of Lexington towards Lynchburg. Our command also marched in the direction of Lynchburg and just got there one day before the Yanks would have got there. They attacked us and found that they were going to get a good flogging, so that night they skedaddled toward Salem burning all the bridges on the VA. and Tenn. railroad up to that place. At Salem they took the road to Fincastle. Our cavalry got in ahead of them and captured and destroyed 12 pieces of artillery, about 50 wagons, 400 horses and 150 prisoners. We did not follow them further than Salem, But turned off and came by way of Lexington to this place. The whole march from the time we got off the cars at Waynesboro till we arrived here yesterday evening is about 225 miles and from what I can hear, we will start in the morning on a long march again, one which I don t like, viz: to make a raid on the Yankees. I fear it will not pay. We are in a fair way of defeating Grant at Richmond and mark my

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prediction if we attempt to go into Maryland and Pennsylvania the fat is turned into the fire. In the first place, our men and stock are not fit for a raid from the effects of long hard marching and in the second place, it never has paid either party to raid and if we attempt it I should not be surprised if half of us are captured. We have a pretty large force though and will be hard to stop. We have about 25,000 men, viz: Breckenridge's Division and Ewels Corp. You have heard I suppose of the 45th being cut up so. Jace was captured (not hurt), so was Freel Atkins. Joe and Mell got out safe. I reckon Jace is sitting up with his head to one side chewing his ‘bacco in Yankeedom. 

I got your letter sent by Jim Stevens a couple of weeks ago. It was old but quite interesting. Tell Peggy, Jim Stevens got her letter and tell her I wish her a long life and a happy one, a good man and a pretty one. Well Sallie and Sis, I tell you I have fared fine for the last two weeks.  When on the march, I would get off the road and get cherries and things to eat. The people were clever, so I got cherries, milk, butter and bread and they would not have a cent of pay. Well I must begin to close, write and direct to Staunton, care of Capt. Co., Regt. Brigade and Division as before. Give me all the news of the neighborhood. Tell mother I have clothes a plenty except socks. I only have one pair, but I have two good legs that I wish were at home. You need not expect to hear from me again till we get back from our raid. Give my love to my neighbors and friends and accept a portion for home. 

Your devoted brother,
Thomas W. Fisher

I have no stamps.