[uncertain which of the sisters this is directed to]

Petersburg Va Feb 26th 1865
Miss Griffin
My friend
I received your letter some days
ago making enquiry about your brother George. I can only
Say that he with several others from my company were all
killed or wounded near the same spot. I Saw him when he
fell. I also Saw my own brother fall about the Same time but
could not assist either. I was not a little Surprised at you
for thinking I could have carried him off the field when
I left brother Amos lying by him and could not help
either withour being captured myself. The yankees were
charging us at the time and Soon passed them where they
lay. In a few minutes we drove them back till our
[page 2]
wounded were between the lines and Amos the although
mortally wounded crawled on his hands and knees to our
lines and was carried to the rear where he died. Dont you
think it is reasonable to Say that if I could have carried
any one off the field I would not have left a brother
there to fall into the hands of the enemy. And do you
think it at all reasonable to Say I could have saved a
friend when I could not Save a brother Your brother was
a particular friend of mine and there was no one except
brothers who are always first – that I would have favored sooner
I think there is no doubt about his death his wound thro
the bowels was mortal no doubt I hope you will not longer
think I could have performed an impossibility
Your friend
L. Harrill

[Lawson Harrill served as Captain of Co. I, 56th NC Infantry. His brother Amos was a sergeant in the same company. George Griffin served as a private in Co. I. The two Harrill brothers apparently served in Co. D, 16th NC earlier in the war]