Camp near Ny River              

May 20, 1864

 

Laura, yours of the 4^th & 10^th was rec^d to day, finding me well, save a bad cold. this is the first mail we have had in some time. I was to glad to hear from you and all. I rec^d nine letters and five papers in our mail, but I have no time to answer. yours is the only one, and, this must be short, the orders have just come to march, and my time is short. I hope you will not think strange, as you can form some idea of our situation

 

I suppose you have heard of this great battle we have fought and the immense slaughter attending it. I do not think we have lost less than forty thousand / men God knows what we must yet witness. the loss in our Company has been heavy. I have had many hair breadth escapes, and I have reason to believe that an all wise providence has watched over me. the Rebel Army still confronts us in large force and you can [?] to hear of more fighting

 

the Rebel army is not so badly defeated as the papers say, and I do not know how the battle may go which in all probability will soon begin, with desperation on both sides. Freeman Campbell rec^d his Commission to day as Second Lieut. I did not touch the letter he wrote to Lil Jenny neither did I see or know it, until he had sent it. I told him when he told me he had wrote that I had the blame / with Miss Bucher and it would be the same with Lil please ask her to let you see the letter to convince you that I did not touch it.

 

the last I heard from Brother he was safe. Persing was shot through the arm but he will get well.

 

I have three photographs the boys gave me I will send them in this letter. I must now close. I cannot give you satisfaction I could not pretend to write at all and I fully appreciate your love and kindness for me and I will do anything in the world to please you. my love to the family, please write soon the mail will come through and you have more time to write than me. as soon as I get in camp I will give you a detail of all our operations since the / campaign opened. remember me in your prayers to face as a true and faithful friend

 

yours truly and most

 

Affectionately

                        WHThurston

            Baty F 1^st Pa Arty

                        2^d Corps

                        Washington D.C.

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