[Gatewood served as a private in Co. D, 45th NC Inf. ]

Camp near Drewrys Bluff
August 25th 1862 Dear sir I will
write you afew lines to let you no
how I am getting along my health is
good at this time & I wish to no how
you are getting along & how crops is in
your neigh bour hood & what the boys is
doing I will in form you that I never
have got close enuff to the yankeys to
get to kill one yet we was ordered to
stone wall Jackson & got as far as
richmon & the order was counter manded
& we come back to the bluff but
stone wall is fighting most every
day & whips the yankys every battle
if we had a went to him we would
a had something to have done you must
read this to mother so she may no how
I am getting along & you must write me
word how she is doing & I all so wish
to no how Dave Brown an his
family is getting along
[page 2]
you must send me word whether you
have moved or not I would have
to afinished your house but I reck
on it will be along time before I ever
wil do any more work in old Rockingham
you must make all the brandy you can
& save me some untell I come home
I stoped over to Richmon the other day
to get one d dram & I did not get but little
over a gill & had to pay one dollar for it
if you need any money you can step up
to my house an get one hundred dollars
for I wish to lend it out you must write
soon & direct your letters to Petersburg Va
in care of John L Seals capt 45 Reg
Nc T
nothing more at present only I remain
your Friend untill Death
Elijah Gatewood to
Mr Richard Amos