Camp near Fredericksburg Dec 4th 1862
Dear Brother
I received your letter a few days ago. I was very glad to hear from you, and family, and to hear that all were well. Your letter found me in very good health. I have been looking for a letter from you for some time. I received one from Sister Virginia also. I answered it two days ago. I have not much news of interest to write. We are expecting a fight now every day. We are making preparations, building batteries &c. I think we will have a big fight at this point in a few days. We are on one side of the river and the yankees on the other. We can see them very plain, and their batteries too. General Lee has / ordered all of the clothing and other Quarter Master stores back from any place near us. So I will not get the things you sent me until the fight is over with.
The things you sent by Capt. Crawford has never come to hand yet, but I hope I will get them any way soon. I would like very much to get the overcoat.
I will try and give you all the information I know in regard to the two McCammons, Gerald was wounded at the Boonsborough fight. He was shot through the stomache, he afterwards died. We left him on the battle field. Whether he was buried or not, I am not able to say. Albert, the younger one, received a wound in his leg, I think just above his knee. He was not wounded so bad that he could not walk he walked off of the / field with the help of Mr Polock, and was carried in a yard in the town and was left there. about the time he got in the town, the men was rallied, and we all had to go back again, so he was left by himself. late in the afternoon Lieut. Campbell let Mr Polock go to see about him. when he went back he found the poor fellow dead, he had bled to death having no one to attend to him. the next morning a detail was made from the company to bury the dead. he was buried in the yard where died in a grave with another man from Lews Company. A rail pen was built around them. We left the poor fellow to guard our blankets to keep him out of the fight. He was killed at the battle of Sharpsburg on Wednesday the 16th of Sept. I have no news worth writing. You must write often to me. I could send you / some money if I had any way to send it. I would like very much to come home and spend a while with you if I could but I have no way of getting off. You must come with [paper fold] You must send me the clothing I need if I get there. Dont forget to deliver my message You may add a little more if you have an opportunity. Give my love to all of the family. If we have a fight and I dont get killed I will write again as soon as [paper fold] please excuse this letter my hands are so sore I cant hardly write. write soon.
As ever, Your Affectionate
Brother
F. A. Gibson
We are in Kershaw's brigade now, same Division