The envelope is postmarked HARPERS FERRY, VA on May 1863.

 

                                                                                                Bolivar Heights, Va

                                                                                                Sunday night May 24^th 1863

 

My Dear Mary

            I received you Thursday’s letter yesterday. I am very glad the children are so well satisfied to let you come without them. Bless their hearts. They must be very good little girls. Pa would be delighted to see them, but don’t think it would be proper to go to the expense of them coming. I meant to see Mrs Gantis yesterday. She says she thinks she can accommodate both you and Mrs Webster. I am to let her know on Friday next exactly what day you will be here and then she will tell me whether or not she can accommodate both. She will certainly do so unless something happens such as friends coming to see her between now and then. I told her I had no doubt you would be here on next Tuesday. I reckon you will start from home on Monday and leave Baltimore on Tuesday morning. The whole Brigade is expected back here in a short time and if they come before you do, I am afraid Mrs Gantis will feel obliged to take Mr & Mrs Minor again and then she can’t accommodate Mrs Webster. There will however be a good place provided for both of you, but it woud be more pleasant if you could be together which I hope will be accomplished.

 

            I am sorry to have to inform you that Lieutenant Sonell was badly wounded on Friday night by one of our own men & a member of his Company, and by the way, one of his particular friends.

 

            He was sent out about five miles on Friday morning in command of twenty men to picket a road leading into the Ferry from Loudoun county. About one o’clock at night whilst visiting his pickets as was his duty, it seems he got outside of the lines, and upon approaching the sentinel on the outermost post he was challenged by the sentinel but for some reason (probably he did not hear it) he did not answer the challenger but continued to approach. Whereupon the sentinel supposed he was an enemy and fired upon him. The ball entered his arm near the shoulder and passed through his breast into the lungs and came out his back. The wound is a dangerous one but is not necessarily fatal. The lungs are not supposed to be much injured, and the Doctor thinks he has a fair chance of recovery. He is doing very well thus far. His wife has been telegraphed for and is expected here tomorrow.

 

            It is reported here tonight that Vicksburg has been taken at last. I hope tonorrows papers will confirm the report. You will not know our Camp when you get here. Instead of being exposed to the beaming sun as you suppose we have a number of evergreen trees around each tent. I have two beauties in front of mine. They have no roots, but are just cut off and planted in the ground. Be sure to start on Monday if possible. I highly approve of your coming and am anxious to get you here as soon as possible for fear we might be ordered away. I expect Dr. Janett’s wife will come at the same time, so we will have quite a gay time in the Camp. Give my love to the girls & Bully & Tom. Remember me kindly to Brother Herron & tell him Lilly is fattening up very fast. Good night.

 

            Your affectionate husband,

            W. H. Dallam

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