Near Spotsylvania Va.

                                                                                    Friday May 13^th 1864

 

Dear Friends at Home

            With pleasure I write that William and I are both alive and well I think William has been very fortunate since we left for he has now been in the Battle and under fire 8 long days and night, at intervooles. Charles Warren is I fear dead, for he was mortally wounded the 2^d day of the fight. he was sent to Fredericksburg with the rest of the wounded. Freedom Rand is dead he was wounded in the Bowels and died the next day. William went into the fight with 48 men/ and now he has about 15 men with him. William has had command of his Company most of the time since he came from home.

 

            I never had reasons to feel more proud of him than now. he has been brave and kind to his men. they think a great deal of him. We we marchd all night and one day when we first started and although many of the Regiment fell out by the way not one of his Company was absent at halt that night he did it by encourageing them not driving them.

 

            How we shall come out I dont know but hope all right.

 

            We have had/ splendid success since we left camp. the boys are all right from our plac as far as I know except Charles Warren.

 

            I cannot write more for I send this back by the wounded to Fredericksburg

 

            Keep up good courage until you hear from me again. I shall writ the first opportunity.

 

            We have whipped the Rebs at every place and taken a great many prisoners.

 

            Our Colonel was wounded the second days fight.

 

                                    Good Bye until my

                        next.

                                    from Gorham

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