SHANADOAH CO. VA JULY THE 2ND 1863
DEAR BROTHER I TAKE MY PEN IN HAND TO IN FORM YOU THAT I AM WELL ATPRESENT AND HOPE THESE FEW LINES MAY FIND YOU ALL WELL. I RECIEVED YOURLETTER AND WAS VERY GLAD TO HEAR FROM YOU ALL. I ALSO RECIEVED MATILDASLETTERS THAT I HAVE GOT SENSE I LEFT HOME I HAVE NOTHING OF IMPORTANCETO RITE MORE THAN OUR ARMY HAS CROSSED BACK ON THIS SIDE OF THE POTOMICAND WE HAVE GOT ORDERS TO TAKE ALL OF THE HORSES THAT IS ABLE FOR SERVISTO THE REGIMENT AND I EXPECT TO START WITH THEM IN THE MORNING. THEYHAVE HAD A GREAT DEAL OF FIGHTING IN MARYLAND AND PENNSYLVANIA ANDCAPTURED A HEAP OF PROPERTY AND DROVE OUT AND FILLED THE VALEY WITHHORSES AND CATTLE SOME OF OUR COMPANY WAS WOUNDED AND SOME TAKENPRISONER BUT I DONT KNOW WHICH OF THEM. CAPT. STEVISON IS UNDER ANARREST FOR DISOBEYING ORDERS. I HOPE THEY WILL BRAKE HIM OF HIS OFFICEFOR HE IS THE MEASEST MAN I EVER MET. SOME OF THE WOUNDED SOLDERS SAIDTHAT WHERE THE DEAD WAS BURYED AFTER THE FIGHT AT GETTYSBURGPENNSYLVANIA THAT THE GRAVES COVERED FIFTY ACHORS OF GROUND AS THICK ASTHEY COULD BE AND THE MEN TROWED IN PILES. THE WEATHER IS VERY WARM ANDWET WHEAT IS GOOD CORN LOOKS WELL BUT SMALL. I MUST CLOSE FOR I HAVE AGOOD DEAL TO ATTEND TO BEFORE I LEAVE HERE. I HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU ALLAGAIN RITE SOON DIRECT YOUR LETTERS TO THE REGIMENT YOURS TRULEY TILLDEATH
CHARLES KELLY TO PETER W. KELLY
|
