Slough Hospital.

July 16^th 1864.

 

Dear Emma.

                        Your favour of the 12^th inst was rec^d by me this day also one from your father. I will answer yours to day and your fathers tomorrow.

 

You wished me to give you all the paticklars of Charlies death. I will try and give them to you as near as I can but I hope I will be able to see you again and give them to you by the word of mouth. On the 15 5^th of June we left Bottoms bridge on the Chickahomany Swamp for to make a raid in the direction of Gordensville. Charlie and my self marched side by side until the day of his death. the night before he died we were detailed to go on a forrageing expadition to get feed for our horses. We did not get into camp until 12 oclock at night. We were tired and as soon as we got our horses attended to we lay down and at three we were wakened again and told we had only a half to feed and make coffee in. the first thing we attended to our horses for we boath had good ones, then we tried to get somthing to eat but just as we got our cakes baked and coffee made the order was to fall in. We had not gone far after we had crossed the South Anna river when we could here the report of our advance guard. Charlie said we will have a little sport to day they have found the Rebs. but still we did not think they were in any force. We keeping moving on for a few miles, soon we herd the report of Artillery. We then made up our minds for a good fight soon, for we had no rear. we had to fight if we found them in force or all be taken prisoners, but a short time elapsed be fore we were brought in line and we could see the Generals holding councils. Soon after we were formed in line of battle and made a foward movement until we came within about two miles of the Virginia Central Rail Road. here we found the Rebs in large force. Our regiment and many more were ordered to dismount from their horses and advance as skirmishers. after advancing the skirmish line a short distance the order was to lay down and wait for the sound of the Bugal when every man was to make a charge and take the rail road and hold it. Charlie said to one of the boys next to him, I dont know if I can make it or not, but I will try. The Bugal sounded and these were the last words he was herd to say. Charly got within about 40 steps of the road, and fell dead. One of the Sergants was next to him and he told me that he jumped about three feet and fell. he went to him and said Charlie, Charlie, but life was gone. he then sent word to me. I went to him but before I got there one of the boys had taken his carbine and revolver off 

 

I at first could not see where he was hit without rooling him over which I did. the ball I think came from the left flank, entering just below the left arm and came out below the last rib on the right side, passing through his hart. I then went to the Sergn't Major and got permission to get a couple of the Pine Eers to dig the grave wich was granted, and told me to stay by him and see him burried the best I could, wich I done but while I was having the grave dug, the Rebs commenced shelling us on the flank the shells passing just above our heads wich compelled us to get out of range, and as soon as they had changed the direction of their fireing I returnd and found that there were several more diging at the same grave, with the intention of burring more than him. It was then almost dark so we dug it wich enoughf for three, and as deep as we could. I got a wagon cover and rooled him in and placed him on the right of the grave grave. he was burried in the red shirt that your Mother made for him before we left home. he had no coat on when he was hit hit. I could not get a coffin for him nor even boards to make one. if I had I could not of made one as our Army kept on after the rebs and in a few hours the rebs was in our rear, so it was not safe for us to be away from the command. I put up a bord to his grave with his name Company and regiment, with the letters cut on. So his grave can be found at any time. 

 

Emma, In my letter to your father I will give him the distence as near as I can from Richmond and all paticklars, so that if any thing should happen me before seeing him he can find Charlies grave. He could not get there now as that part of Virginia is still held by the Rebels.

 

Give my kind regards to your Mother and I hope she will try and not let the sad news worry her more than she can help. It is hard for her I know, but still how much better it is for her than for many a mother thats compelled to here of the death of their son shot for deserting &c.

 

Emma try and forget the past and console your feelings by thinking Charlie died in defence of his country. I myself miss him very much. had I to do it over I would not enter the army for my thoughts are with Charly all the time. My wound is much better so I can walk on cruches and I shall try and get transfered to Philadelphia then I am shure of getting a furlough home or rather up Pine Creek. I wrote to all of Charlies corrospondents in regard to his death. I wrote to May Root the same day I did to you. I hope I may here from you soon. do not forget to write to me now for I shall consider just as much my duity to write as I did when charly was with me.

 

Give my love to all the famely.

 

And I remain your respect friend

W. C. Gillespie

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