August the 17 1863
Camps Near Ornge Court
house Dear Father
And mother I am just
About like I have ben
hopeing when those few lines
comes to hand they may
find yow All well I nowthing
Mutch to right to yow only
the men is still dessertin
they are furlowghing some
know to stop they Dissertion
but it dont do Any good
mutch I hant had Any
Letter from yow sceince the
31 of June I wood be verry
glad to hear from yow one
more time times is civil at
present I dont think their
will be Any fighing shortly
[page 2]
this year One day year Ago

this day one year Ago I left home
Father I knowd nowthing when
Two what I do now I think if I
get threw this war I can live
the balance of my days without
babeon as hard as I have done
in days past I am in good
sprits as ever thowgh I think
our chance Slim our men
is Still desertin yet I think
we will stay at this camps
some time from the way
they clearing off it Father
I have improve mightly in
writing sceince I come owt
in to the Battle Feild Rg
Proctor got Aletter from home
Stateing that they men
[page 3]
Was orderd tell 50 he said that
he dint think they was coming
so no more only Right Soon
thomas Brotherton from W.H.Brotherton

Dear Granmother I take the pleasure
of writing yow Afew lines to let yow
know that I am well Hoping when
those few lines comes to hand
they may find yow All well tell
aint Martha Brotherton that uncil
Bill is as well as comon I wood
like to see yow All once more
Bwt disstant wont permit me
at the present yow must
excuse for not Righting no more
so no more only Righ
From William H Brotherton
To Granmother Howard
And All the Rest
[page 4]
Hear is the
Confederats Stats
Flag of Americai
Dear Mother yow can see some
of my work if yow can see me
this day one year Ago I left
home I am in good Spirts as
ever this flag has sail over
Amany Battle feild oh if
we cowld have peace once
more in Our land And
nation to Mother And
Sister From William H
Brotherton William H Brotherton
[sideways on left margin, next to drawing of Confederate flag]
When this you See Remember
me thowgh many mils
Apart we William
Brotherton