June 7th 1862
Camp near Richmond
Dear Father
I would have written to
you before if circumstancs
permted I am Sorry to tell
you that Jimmie & William
are both Sick William is at
petersburg with the Measels
I recon you have heard
of the great battle fought
here last Saturday and Sunday [1]
and I thank god that I was
spared to write home once
more for I believee that
it was the hand of providence
that saved me I had the
brim of my hat shot off
Pa I thought I had been
in Some hot places but
[page 2]
it was the hotest place I
eve witnessed the ball fell
around me like throwing corn
out feed chicken
Our Regiment was badly
cut up it had 197 killed or
wounded our company had
25 killed and wounded 4 kill
Fisher McGowen Tom Stinson
Alfonce Bagby & Beaumont
were killed and worse than
all our good old Colonel
was killed
I will try to describe the battle
field to you but I hardly know
how Just imagine yourself
walking over a large field half
leg deep in mud scattered all over
with dead men and horses
wounded men lying all about
[Page 3]
groaning in the agonies
death begging you for assistines
and you will have some idea of
a battle field
Pa I am Fairing very bad
but I hope there is better times
coming I lost every thing
I had my Blankets and all
but i got one yankey Blanket
I am getting so I can slep
any where I waked up
tuesday night with the water
half way up my side
I must close for the
suttler is about to leave
for Richmond
give my love to Ma and
Graini and tell them not
to greeve after me
write to me I was for
[Page 4]
not got one letter since
I left home
tell [????] al howdy
Good by

Your son
Lewis Branscom