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 YOUR LETTER AND WAS VERY GLAD TO HEAR FROM YOU ALL. I ALSO RECIEVED MATILDAS LETTERS THAT I HAVE GOT SENSE I LEFT HOME I HAVE NOTHING OF IMPORTANCE TO RITE MORE THAN OUR ARMY HAS CROSSED BACK ON THIS SIDE OF THE POTOMIC AND WE HAVE GOT ORDERS TO TAKE ALL OF THE HORSES THAT IS ABLE FOR SERVIS TO THE REGIMENT AND I EXPECT TO START WITH THEM IN THE MORNING. THEY HAVE HAD A GREAT DEAL OF FIGHTING IN MARYLAND AND PENNSYLVANIA AND CAPTURED A HEAP OF PROPERTY AND DROVE OUT AND FILLED THE VALEY WITH HORSES AND CATTLE SOME OF OUR COMPANY WAS WOUNDED AND SOME TAKEN PRISONER BUT I DONT KNOW WHICH OF THEM. CAPT. STEVISON IS UNDER AN ARREST FOR DISOBEYING ORDERS. I HOPE THEY WILL BRAKE HIM OF HIS OFFICE FOR HE IS THE MEANEST MAN I EVER MET. SOME OF THE WOUNDED SOLDERS SAID THAT WHERE THE DEAD WAS BURYED AFTER THE FIGHT AT GETTYSBURG PENNSYLVANIA THAT THE GRAVES COVERED FIFTY ACHORS OF GROUND AS THICK
AS THEY COULD BE AND THE MEN TROWED IN PILES. THE WEATHER IS VERY WARM AND WET 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 ALL AGAIN RITE SOON DIRECT YOUR LETTERS TO THE REGIMENT YOURS TRULEY TILL DEATH
CHARLES KELLY TO PETER W. KELLY
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