July ^the 11 1863

Harpers Ferry Camp near

Knoxvill Maryland

 

                                                                                                Dear parents and brothers and sisters it is hard for mee to set doun to let you know that Thomas was left on the battle field but he fell a performing his duty and to save his country and I hope he will be rewarded in heaen for it he had Gust returned from washington Citty hospidle 2 or 3 days before the battle and I dident want him to go in the battle but he said that the news never should go home that he died a coward he got 2 pickturs taken while he was a way and had them in / his pocket when he went in and some money but the rebs took his shoes and every thing he had in his pockets we buried him and our fourth surgent to gather and put there names on a bord and nailed it to a tree and if i ever come home i will try to bring the remainders of his body with mee we buried him as well as we could under the circumstances and I dont want you to Griev about it for he fell in a good Caus and in the defence of his Country the last words that any of us herd him say was Come on star dont bee hideing he said if you are to bee shot you will bee shot any how he spoke these words to a / to a small boy in our Company so dont Grieve your selves it is hard for you i know but he died a good souGer John Keller is missen he is either taken prisner or killed Levie taylor is wounded slightly Jonson Toppin is wounded slightley Spencer Greenley was killed on the field this all that you know in the regment we went in with over 400 hundred men and come out with Less than 200 hundred the rebs flanked us was the reason of it our Generel Zook and our Colonel was killed our seckond lieutenant was taken prisner and mager the lieutenant is a brother to han Cook /

 

I am well at this time and the rest of the boys is well as comen

 

            so iwill Cose

                        your Dutifull sun

                                                George W Carter

                                    Casender Carter

 

            i will send the letters

            off of his Cap to you

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