Harpers ferry
Virginia
tuesday Oct 7th
1862
My Dear Sister

as I know that
you and mother like to hear
from me I will try to
write evry chanch that I have
and I hope you will do the
smae I hope these few
lines will find you all in good
helth as it leaves me at pres
ant it seames to me that
you do not write agate meny
letters to me its once in
grate whill that I get one you
must not wait for me
to write to you but if you
have any thing to write let
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it rip never wait for me
I have not much news to
write this time I can write a
little more about the battle
field I did not tell you
about the rebels makeing us
run we went in to the wood
and formed our line of battle
then we had orders to lie down
the 15th mass was in
front of us the rebs got round
and flanked them and our right
the 20 Mass got orders to fall
back they went to the rear &
I could see the rebs comeing in
on our right & left after the
20 fell back then Gen sumner
sent in a order for us to retreat
you better beleave that I
run as fast as any one &
could see the rebels comeing
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after us you better beleave
I cut and run by good=ish you
could not see my heales for smoak
I guess i ran as fast as any
one but I woant write any
any more about the rebs this
time I must write alittel
a bout the box I want you to
send me some thread & a box of
mustard one bottle of sweet oil
O Mother I you to send
some of your good old doughnuts
I want you Hannah to be shure
to have your likeness taken
you and cousin Sarahs
togather and send to me and
I will have one taken and send
it home but you might send me
some money to get it taken
with have you had any
money from wrentham sence
the first time if you have not