August the 1^st A.D. 1862

                                                                                    In camp near Hannslanding

 

friend. William

                        It is now fourteen mongths sence I left natick village the place of my birth and Boy hood, and embarked on this present conflict to help put down the rebellion and to help maintain the laws of which our fore fathers fought for us to be a free pepople. but this exedition has ben a good deal different than I expected when I left natick and all that was dear to me. I expected that in a short time that I should return again, but I am sorry to say that I do not see as this war is any nearer to an end than it was 6 mongths ago. Indeed Billey I have thought of you often and that I would write a few lines to let you now how I was geting along for you now that we have passed a good many happy hours together in the old shop. I am at present well and rugged as ever I was in all my life, but I think that I could enjoy my self agooddeal better at home than I do hear for I am like / the rest. I do not like such a life as a Soldier has to endure in a campane like the present one. we are at present camp what is called on the James river. the river is on boath sides of us and the fort is thoroughly fortfide in case the rebbels should atack us, which we have ben expecting for tow or 3 days. I will not under take to tell you about the late Battles for you have I suppose read of them in the papers. our regiment has ben under the fire of the rebbels at times sence we left natick. the last time was on the 25^th of June in which we had 3 killed and one slightley wouned. [side margin: 30 killed and wouned in the hole regiment 4 killed 26 wouned, 3 killed out of our Company] Bently had boath of his legs shot off and his arm shattered he lived some to or 3 hours and then he dide. he was senseble untill the last. James Jordon was struck by the same shell and killed almost in an instant. he was left on the field untill the next morning when some of our boys brought him off of the field and rolled him up in his blanket. our boys burried him and bentley side beside near / the place where they was killed. the same shell took off James armstrong Left leg. he has sence dide. 5 of our company have departed this life in the short time of six or seven weeks. it is hard to tell whos turn will come next. last night at one oClock the rebbels run some of their light cannon down on the banks of the other side of the river and they fired very liveley for a while at our transports. our gunboats was up the river a little ways. they got under way as soon as they could and run down and commence firing at the rebbels battrys and it was not long before the rebbels had to leave. they did not due much damage to the boats but killed 3 men and wouned to most all the shots was so high that they come over this side. I do not now how long we shall have to remain hear but I expect some time untill we are rinforced enough to advance again. I hope that we shall soon be strong enough to take the rebbel capatil and crush this / this cruel rebelion at once and put and end to it at once. well, Billey, all I have got to say that it is a hard old life for a man to pass away his life. I should like to see Natick once more and the friends that I once was aquainted with. it must be very Lonesome arround natick at the present time for this cruel war has caused many a famley circle to be broke up and to leave all that is dear and to go futh to help in their country defence.

 

                        Frind Billy, I do not now as I have eny moe news to write so I will Draw my few remarks to a Close hoping this will find you in good health and also you famley. my wishes is that you and your famley still injoy that blessed hope that when you are called to depart from this life that you may dwell in that happy land which god has promised to them that hold out to the end…And I am happy to tell you that I am trying to be a different man than I was when I left home.              From you Friend and

I should be pleased to                                                             well wisher, Alonzo [?]

hear from you, Billy

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