Civil War Letter with Jeb Stuart Cavalry Battle

Single folded lined letter sheet with four pages of inked Ms text, written by Lt. Hartwell W. Freeman, Co. I, 40 th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, headed Hartwell Oct. 5, 62 Four miles from Fort Ethan Allen Oct. 5 th 1862 Dear Mother I had a letter from father the other day, he said that you were much better. I am very glade to hear it and hope that you will soon be well. You will see from the heading of this letter where I am. I have first come out here, I shall sty hear until Monday noon. My quarters are out in an open field, which is bounded on one side by the turnpike. There are houses at considerable distance from me and such other. I am writing this on the ground on a writing case given me by MaryGrivnark?. I have nothing to steady my hand with at all. The report is this morning that our Cavalry pickets who are estimated about five miles from us have been drove back more than two miles into their reserves, by Stuarts rebel Cavalry, 4000 strong. I don’t know whether to believe it or not. I have heard for the past half hour musketry firing, it has now ceased. I shall hope to hear from you as soon as you get well…I have also six other posts to visit once or twice during the day and once every two hours. Major Day is the officer of the day out here… Written in a clear strong hand. Condition normal folds else VG+. From a group of letters recently found in a Kentucky estate.