[picture of Maj. Gen. Geo. B. McClellan]
Shelbyville Ten July 2 1862
mother & Father
This is the
sicond letter that
I have written this week and as
long as I stay here I will write
two aweek if I have paper and
stamps I am well enough if it
was not for my bowells which
still pain me yet we are doing
very well here plenty to eat
and the best kind of Irish feathers
to sleep on Leut Bard came up
from Jasper where the Company
is at night before last it is near
Chattanooga on the Tennessee river
he says the balls are whistling
over the camp all the time they
had a fight down there some
[page 2]
days ago and our Company lost
one killed and one taken
prisoner. Our Company is Independant
now we were in charge of Cap
Shaffer but the boys would
not serve under him he
would not draw rations
for the boys so Leut Burd
he fixed it all right with
Genl Buel and we were detached
so that left us Independant
I do not know of much
more to write today
Giv emy best respects to Eddy
and Siss and all the rest
and accept the same
<???> selves Your Respy
Chas H Sowel
Direct to the
same old
place in
nashville
Excuse this badly written letter