Cape Fear Feb 16^th 1865

 

Dearest Ina,

                        This morning we were orderd to march. on arriving at the point of the Cape we recieved mail. yours of Jan 22^nd came to hand It appears that taxes ar pretty high. [remainder of side missing] /

 

[top margin] Such and abominable tax have been laid

 

to hire substitutes for cowards and copperheads. after I have served 3 years and the apart of the time for $13. pr month and now pay about $63. To save the hide of some drafted man is unjust Dow sed our tax will be double that will make ours next year alittle over $126. Now in regard to paying [remainder of side missing] /

 

            after. Do you see it in the same light.

 

Friday 17^th We ar in camp near Smithlandville on the main land we march this morning. evening. I have skermished nearly all day with the Johnies. we drove them within 2 miles of Fort Anderson, which is on the west side of the river. Saturday night we moved within one mile of the fort fortified, the gunboats kept up a galling fire on the Fort all day. Co. D. had one man wounded on Friday and one one today Saturday.

 

Sabbath morning. clear not cold and good the Fort is vacuated. there is 17 cannon, large lot of ammunition. Walter was left unwell at Smithville. Philip Winters is my mess mate now / we ar orderd to press the Johnies. There has been quite a nomber of prisonors taken evening. our Brigade were in the advance skermished a little the Rebs drove well. we ar within 10 miles of Wilmington, and found the Rebs fortified on the north side of a creek. we must fortify before we sleep. Monday noon. have just eaten my dinner. Johnies still hold their posision. there is one Brigade crossing the creek near the River while the gun boats protect them. we will soon see how they like flanking. Henry Coughey has been a little unwell a few days was taken very bad yesterday morning and died this morning I enclose a little moss that grew on a tree. Syprus swamps ar very extensive. no doubt you have read and seen engravings of the long waving moss that grow on trees in the south it is used for matts. it hangs in large waving and long masses. I also enclose 2 heads of rice the straw looks like rank oats straw The rebs say Charleston is in the hands of the Yankees. I hope to see you before many months I am yours truly William Troyer

 

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Feb 21^st

We thoroughly routed the Johnies yesterday took 2 cannon 350 prisonors they ar in full retreat for Wilmington we will soon march I am well. Cap Dow is here.

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