July 16^th 1862

                                                                                                Camp Harrison Landing

 

[overwitten] The Philistines are upon the Samson And they Master has sent for the so look out for him’

 

[margin] S Rathbone

 

Friend Silas

                        You must accept my Appoligy for not answering your letter befor, but circumstances have kept me so buisy that I [?] of it untill now

 

                        I seen the band man relative to your Violin he says it is lost beyond recovery I have been sick and so has H[?] Miller and we have not yet recovered our health yet

 

                        Of course you have heard of our reverses the Rebs was to much / For us Our Regiment lost Company K and G almost all taken prisoners and we lost Poket Jack Wilber and Andrew Miller taken prisoners none was killed

 

                        Spaulding is dead and Duncan Stalker and Dolan he was either killed or taken prisoner at the battle of Fair Oaks I forgot to state that Tom Paine and William Decker was taken prisoners also on our last retreat Gray is under arrest and Col Fairman has gone home to be opperated on for the gravel.

 

                        If course you / Know that Major Kelly was killed on Picket the day before the battle of Fair Oaks Lieut Col Gray has gone home sick and a Major of the 85 Penn is in command of our Regt for the pressent

 

                        Murphy is a Sergeant in our company and Seargeant (Silas Swift) and Seargeant Stephen Rathbone are by order reduced to the ranks and to the condition of private Soldiers

 

                        Of course you will come back after that / I know you would as soon serve your country in the capacity of a Private Soldier as in the Privaledged class of Officers so come back and help us fight the battles of our country Is my advice (if you do I hope you will get shot) by no rebel Ball but if you are not ball proof dont do as some (go to Canada and stay untill the war is over) but serve your country and die gloriously and now having scrawled what I fear you cannot read aright but If you mind the sentences that are marked and heed them all will be well

 

your well wisher

                                                            you know who

SOURCES