[fragment]

 

they did not fire a shot or make a single baynot charge either Saturday or Sunday the loss they suffered in killed and wounded was from stray shots that went over our heads. I have no doubt but they would have done well but we did not want them though they were on hand if they had been wanted. that was where Mrs Rihl's son was killed. after the fight came the most distressing part of the whole we had to go into the woods to carry out the wounded and the cries and groans of them were terrible we could scarcely / walk without stumbling over a dead or wounded man I hope to God that I may never see such a sight again it is enough to disgust any one with war. we worked all night and then had to go to fighting in the morning at daylight but thank God our regiment did not have much to do we advanced our position and have held it ever since. we laid for three days on the field of battle before all the dead and wounded were removed from around us and the smell was the most sickening that ever I experienced and all that time we could get nothing to eat but what we took out of the pockets / of the dead rebels. we were nearly all played out for we had nothing but what we had on our backs and to make matters worse it rains nearly all the time down here. but I borrowed a few dollars from the Captain and bought a lot of grub and I soon was all right again thank God Kate I keep in good health for a man has no show if he gets sick down here he might as well be dead. I do hope that this war will soon be over and that I may get back home all safe. but I want to see it settled right before the government gives it up and make the / scoundrels suffer that were the cause of it. I wrote a letter to Hughey to day all the boys in Baxters from around the corners are well they lay along side of us and I see them every day Pud Carpenter and Jack Telford are well and all hands are tired enough of this war I am very sorry that I lost my knapsack for besides my clothes I had some things that I had picked up for you and the children. but I feel satisfied that my life was spared. we are kept quite lively by the enemy throwing shell into our lines all the time Write soon and take good care of yourself and the children

                                               

Yours  Tom

SOURCES