May 4th 1863
My Dear Wife
I now take
and opportunity of writing you
a few lines to let you
know as I am yet a live
but I dont feel well at all
but so as be up I am in hopes
as these few lines will find you
all well. we had a very hard
fight yesterday we drove the
yanky back sevel miles but
they kill a great many of our
men. I went through it without
geting tuch but Jacob E Odum
Bert Smith John Griffin
Franklin stallins
Edvin Sherwood George Winstead
was all kill dead, and sixteen
wound, George Gay is wound
the fight taken place about
20 or 25 miles up the River
Hamilton s crossing, just over
above Kellys ford
[page 2]
I dont know where they will
fight us again here or not
it is now 1 or 2 oclock
in the eveing and there has been
no fighting to day I am inhopes
as this is the last of the war
I have receive two letters
from you, as I think in your
hand writ I am in hope
as you will continure writing
tell Par as I will write to
him in a few day give my
love to Par and all his family
and to all my friends and
and recieve alarg potion for
your self and family I remain
your loving husband untell
death shall part us
J W Whitfield
May 5th there has been no
fighting to day only pickets
they have been fighting a little
your loving husband
J. W. Whitfield