Camp 14th N C Troops
Near Hamilton Crossing
May the 7th 63
Dear Father
As this is the first opportunity I will
write you a few lines to let you know
how we are doing I suppose you have heard
of the figt [1] in this vicinity we were engaged 
in it our regt suffered severely we had
one kiled and several wounded in our company
brother william is one of the wounded he
was shot in the ankle just above the Joint
the doctors think he will get well without his
leg being amputated— I saw him day before yestur
day I also heard from him yesturday he was
doing very well Sergt W H Porter [2] was
killed ded on the field he was shot in the
head we left camp the 29th of April but did
not get in to a regular engagement untill
the 3rd of this inst we atacted the enemy in
their entrenchments and drove them back a
cross the river they crossed the river in two
places at Fredericksburg and at kelleys ford
some ten or twelve miles above the fight
that we were in was about ten miles
above Fredericksburg— they also had af [3] fight
at Fredericksburg & suceeded in driving the
[page 2]
the enemy back a cross the river I dont
know anything about the number that
was lost on either side—but from what
I saw on the battle field I know that
the enemy loss was much larger than ours
we captured a great many prisners & some
artilery I got through safe and am with
the company all the wounded are being
sent to the hospital as fast as possible
I will give you a list of the wounded
in our company lieut F M Harney [4] slightly
in thigh lieut G W Murray [5] slightly in
thigh but they are both on duty lieut
G M Williams [6] severly in head sergt
Whit more slightly in leg C Cooper [7] in
leg not dangerously .A.J. Green [8] slightly
in head R Freeman leg shot off Z Poe [9]
slightly in arm corp Wm Murphy [10] slightly
in side R Williams [11] in kne not dangerous 
J J White finger shot off T B wilson [12]
in arm had it amputated I will close
write soon I remain your son
J E Patton