Camp near Richmond May the 10th 1863
Dear Sister
       I received your kind letter the other day I was very glad to hear you was all well and doing as well as you are I was glad to hear you was ready to plant corn I received a letter from Rieves this day was a week ago I was then behind the brestworks near Suffolk I wrote an answer the same day but did not get to send it, on the account of us leaveing their that knight we have been on the rode ever since and just arrived at this plase yestarday. we have stoped hear and probably we will stay hear three or fore days. I reckon Rieves has started back to his Regiment by this time. I am sorry I dident get to answer his letter. If old Hooker kicks up another fuss at fredregsburge we may go their then we can get to see one another We are camped in about 7 miles of Richmond we have had a very heard march from Suffolk to this plase we have been on the rode just a week today we have had a great deal of rain for the last too weeks. Their was 7 of our boys run off the night before last they are sending a detail after them. Charles M Browning is one of them he can tell you all of the news without my writing. I havent stated anything concerning my health. My health is just tolerable good at present Cumming is tolerable well he has fallen off rightsmar but he dont complain much. I will send $30.00 home by Charles tell Pa he can use it whenever he wants to. If I had any chance I would get some little things and send to you all by Charles but I have no chance to get out to buy any thing. so nothing more at present but write soon being as I was on guard last knight I feel sleepy & that you must this badly written letter.
M. J. Gilmer
your Affectionate brother
C. H. Gilmer
bad paper bad ink & hot day