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May 16th 1863
Camp Near united States Ford
Dear Pa & Ma

I seat myself this eavning to inform you that I am once more in camp. I got hear yesterday morning and I found a great many of the Regt to be absent their was a great many kiled and wounded. John Suliven was kiled dead on the field and several more that I will not mention their was about twenty wounted in Fickles Company and only one kiled. Tell uncle Sam that Lafayett wasent in the fight he was at the hospittle and is their yet but I don't know how he is nor where he is but I expect he is at Richmond. The boys that are hear ar all generally well Smith Gilmer is not very well. I was down to the river this morning to see the pontoon Bridges but they had taken them down but I saw the yankees on yon side. tell Mr. Cooper that neither of his boys was hear Nathan was at the hospital and William was wounded and sent off too. Hue Montgomery of Fickles Company was killed dead on the field. I havent seen hayes & Cummings yet nor I don't know whether I will get to see them shortly or not but they say they are orderd to Fredericksburg if the Cum any ways near hear I will go and see them. I saw Charles M. Browning Samuel Hargeese Fullen Hurt Several others going home after deserters Charles said his Regt was near Richmond. I saw a dead yankee in the branch as I come to this place he had been killed in the ditch and they just threw some dirt over him and the rain washed the dirt off of him and he was just laying on the ground. When I heard of Jacksons death it almost put me out of the notion of coming back it almost Shocked me to hear of it but I am hear now and will have to risk the chances of ever getting back anymore. when you write let me know where hayes and Cummings are for they may bee some where near me and I not know it. I sent you all five dollars worth of stamps by Charles I sent my picture by James but such a picture never was saw before the man that took it didnt try to take it write. Well Pa I will have to bring my few and imperfect lines to a close. So nothing more but remain
Your son W. R. Gilmer
Tell Maryann & Alley howdy for me and all the rest.
W. R. Gilmer