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Laurel Hill
Barbour Co. Va
June 19th '61

Dear Pa & Ma.-
I embrace this another opportunity to write to you, not that I have any news of importance, but because I know how well you like to hear from us. I cannot say that we are both exactly well; for I have a cold and have had for some time, thought I have no pains from it yet. The continual explosure that I undergo is the cause of my not getting over it. Reeves has been pestered slightly with diarrhea, he is complaining a little today. I think he will be well of it in a day or two. If I should tell you what we did this morning before you thought of getting out of bed you would think that we were not only well but stout. It is this. We were stationed last night 25 miles from Phillippi & about midnight a runner came to our quarters and stated that there was danger or it was thought from certain circumstances that the federal troops stationed at Phillippi were marching towards Laurell hill, where we had probably 700 men and we were ordered to march to this place. We all, (two regiments of us) about 1000 strong took the line of march about 1,oclock and got here about day light a distance of 11 miles and theh report proved to be false, thought we are looking for an attach, and are fixing for it by throuwing up breast works and making intrenchments. I never saw as many spaces, shovels & mattocks working at once in my life before. There is no town here - only one house in sight. We have today only 4 canons brass pieces. If we take a notion to attack Philippi our works here might be of advantage, in case we were overpowered, - we could fall back to his place and they cannot manage us here, even if they should have double our number and in my opinion when we do attack that lace we will redle it from one end to the other and chase the enemy to and across the border of our state. We are looking for reinforcements. The yankees may attack us before we get any more forces at this place. If they do I expect they will be sorry of it, for we intend to fight to the death. There is not half the excitement here now within 14 miles of the enemy asd there was in Lebanon the day we left, indeed there is no excitement here at all. You are too much excited there at home about this war - there is no use of it at all, in my opinion. We are right amongst them now in a manner and just dare them to advance any further. If they do not advance in a short time we will. If is reported that there are 4000 troops at Philippi - and about 2000 here as far as I can learn. Our scouts have taken three or four spies or scouts. They took one yesterday and killed one a few miles from here. I saw the one they captured last, today - he is a dutchman. He tells several tales but we do not know what to believe. I think we are just in the edge of Barbour county 14 miles from Philippi. We were in Randolph county last night - but as I told you we came out in a hurry sometimes running. We heard canons at or in the direction of Philippi this morning - no fighting though I suppose only a signal gun once and a while. They had better save their powder for they will have a use for it in a few days if they don't leave. We know but little about their movements. We have to be ready to march at a moments warning. Sometimes we suffer for something to eat on account of making distance &c. We have traveled a distance of 127 miles from Staunton on foot. I did not ride one step of the distance the sick only could ride. We left Wm Howard sick some 60 or 70 miles back with diarrhea. It is Wm Howard Sr. We are looking for him on in a day or two; though we have not heard from him since we left him. We have no tents yet and don't know wehre we weill have. The ground is our bed and the blanket our covering. I do not see how we stand up to it so well. I think it will certainly injure us soon. You have no idea how damp and cold we get some nights. The nights are cool here. We can do vey well as long as it does not rain. I did not sleep more than two hours last night and feel very sleepy now. I intend to sleep some tonight if the yankees do come. We have our guards and runners all the time and all around. I stood guard one night and it rained on me all the time two hours -- I then laid down under a wagon and slept sound till day. One man just has to guard two hours then another takes his place, though we have out eight or ten every night. I have already scribbled too much for I am too sleepy to think or write. I have to sit on a blanket and write on my knee and of course you cannot expect much. I have but few chances to write and were it not that I can write so fasst you would get but few letters and short ones at that from me. This will do you for a while. I will now tell you how you can get a letter to me and Reeves. I must have a letter from you. I want to know what is going on. Tell me all that you can of importance. I want all the home news: I hhope I can go home in a few months. This you know is uncertain. Love to all at home and good friends abroad.
Your Affectionate sons
John E. Gilmer
Wm R Gilmer
P.S Tell Hays & Martha to write
Direct your letter thus and it will be certain to reach me let me go where I will so I am with the Col.
John E. Gilmer
Beverly, Randolph Co Va
(Care Col. S. V. Fulkerson.)
(The letter will come to Beverly and then be sent on to our Col.
It is very near supper time though I don't have to cook today. We are divided into messes - as of ten, and we take it time abut. Bob Cowan, David, George, Hiram Howard Wm Howard and Johnston Howard are in my mess. Some others, Reeves of course. A great deal of this part of the state is thinly settled. In traveling 50 miles through the mountains I did not see more than 10 or 12 houses. Farewell till I write again.
J. E. Gilmer