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July 16th 1863
Darksville Burkly County Va
Dear Sister,

I am happy indeed to inform you that I have landed safely on virginia once more we have been marching & fighting through the state of Pa & Md for the last month and I am still alive and un hurt but verry tired we had a very hard fight in Pa at gettysburg our little compnay has mity near gone up the spout companys (G&I) only took nine men in the fight four of them got killed & wounded John L. Fletcher & William Williams was killed & E.T Dougherty & Larkin Fletcher was wounded touse was wounded very badly he was shot in at the back and out at the breast. it is very doubtful wheter he gets well or not he was left in Pennsylvania. Capt Fickle lost a great many men killed and wounded Jef Howel Samuel McCloud was killed and several others were suppose to bee killed they was left out on the field we had a very hard fight and had to fall back at last

The river was up so that could not cross we had to stay on yon side several days on account on the river we threw up breast works and skirmished with the yankees all the time while we was on yon side while we was cuming from pesylvania we had to march in the fields by the side of our trains to keep the yankees off of them the fight at gettysburg was on the first second & third of this month when we crossed the potomac the water struck me under the arm I had to carry my catridge Box on my shoulder to keep my powder dry you may guess whether it was deep or not we lost some wagons & Horses in the river the day beefore we crossed I have heard since we come on this side that we lost vixburg if it be true we will to up the spout

Martha I receivd your letter of the 6th and was glad to hear from home you think that I dont get all on your letters but I expect I get the most of them I have got several letters from you and have not had the time to write to you.

Martha as I want to go and pick sum burys I will have to bring my letter to a close so nothing more but remain your brother
Wm R. Gilmer
Ps Martha John Shroyers was wounded he was shot in behind the year and out at the eye