Chatanooga Aug 6^th   62

 

Dear Madam

                        I becomes my painfull dieuty to inform you of the death of your husband. he was killed in a fight with the enemy at Murphysboro on the 13 of July. He was killed by a minnie ball. the ball entered the right breast and pased out through the heart. he was shot in a charge from which we / ware compelled to fall back the enemy taking thare original position got posesion of his body and robed it of his money pistol &c. (he had about twenty five dollars I think) we succeeded at last in driving the enemy back and conveyed his body to the residence of Mr Hyram Wasson who took charge of it and had it deacentley burried. we could not stay to attend to it ourselves as the army / left town as soon as the fight ended. we gained a great vicktory but paid dearley for it. I think it was your husbands wish in case of his death for Mr Graham to settle his business and take charge of his property. he spoke to me sevrel times on the subgect long before his death and always said if he should be killed that Mr Graham would see that his familey would not suffer / I can assure you you have the sympathy of all the Company in your berievement This is the first opertunity I have had to write or I would have written sooner. I must now close for it a painfull task to write such sad news. with heart felt sympathy with you in your trouble. I am

 

            yours

                        Respectfully

                                    W^m P Rice

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