So about four oclock the 25^th and 75^th we started up to see what they were doing. We ascended the mountains through a dense wood and came out in an open field near the summit. Here we could see them drawn up in line upon the top they had a fine position. The 25^th held the post of honor having the advance Co. A. were sent ahead of the balance to bring on the engagement. We advanced and received the first fire. The two regiments advanced in splendid style with banners flying, to our support and poured volley after volley / into them in quick succession Our fire was so hot that one rebel regiment all ran at the second fire but twelve men they were rallied afterward and came up again. We had a little advantage of them in position as they had to shoot down hill at us and shot to high. We gave them mighty hell until after dark. They admit a loss of three hundred men. The loss in our regiment was eight killed and fifty four wounded Co. A. had fourteen wounded two of which have since died. I think that I got ample revenge for what they did to me last winter I fired sixty rounds, and am sure more than one chivalric rebel is released from the service from that day, and can thank your humble servant for it

 

That night we fell back to Franklin and awaited Fremont who came in on the 13^th of May with fourteen Regts. The rebels with their 13,000 men also fell back the same night as they had enough of that kind of fighting

 

            From Franklin we were ordered to this valley to attend to Jackson we arrived here just as he had passed we followed him on up the Shenadoah river taking severl hundred prisoners. A. M^t Jackson he burned the bridge over the river which delayed us one day, which gave him the start of us We followed him to Harrisonburgh where he left the pike. We stopped here one day. On Sunday the 8^th of June we overtook him near a place called Port Republic

 

The place where the battle took place is called Cross Keys It is unnecessary for me to give you a description of the battle as you will see it in the papers. It lasted from eleven in the morning until night The cannonading was terrific in the extreme. The 25^th was in hottest part of the fire. Capt Charlesworth is very badly wounded but we think he will get well Joe Perry of Barnesville was shot in the arm. He was right by my side when he fell you knew Joe I believe you and he used to go to old Tilleys. During the night Jackson rereated, burned another bridge after he crossed and so escaped. I went over the battle ground which was well worth seeing At one place where the rebels had one of their batteries planted, I counted forty horses killed by our shot and shell. On all sides trees were torn into shreds and the earth ploughed up as if done for cultivation /

 

Our loss was 617 killed wounded and missing. We are here resting ourselves. We have marched over two hundred and fifty miles during the last 20 days all of our Co. gave out but twenty So we had only that number in the battle I am happy to say I am one of them am safe and hearty as a buck. I really must defer that criticism on your letter only this in regard to you dying with your seed in your belly, Know that you / are commanded to fuck or do some other D.—M. thing & replenish the earth. No more but remain your lover

                                                            Hez. T.            Charly

 

Direct as follows

 

                        Hez. Thomas

                                    Co. A. 25^th O.V.

                                    Milroys Brigade

                                    Fremonts Department

 

The above direction is permanent no difference where we are.            Hez

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