Augusta: William Brand to Kate Armentrout, April 6,
1862
Summary:
William tells Kate about recent casualties in his company and the re-organization
of the company under new officers. He also says that, while things look "gloomy"
at the present time, the soldiers in his regiment are in good spirits and ready
to fight the enemy. He is less impressed with the militia.
In the care of Mr. James Johnson.
Miss Kate
Armentrout
Lexington
Virginia
April 6th 1862
[illeg.]Three Miles this
side
Camped on Ruge Hill
Friend Kate
It has been some time since I received your kind letter and would have answered it sooner if we had have been camped at any one place long enough to write it.
My health is very good & hope this may find you enjoying the same
blessing. There are no news of importance to write. Our
Company
[page 2]
reorganized to day for the War; our Commissioned officers
are as follows, Captain
Jason W Newton, Lieutenant
Charles W Grills 2nd Lieutenant
[unclear: Churgus] Grills & [unclear: 2nd 2] David F
Eachord. We have a very large Company. I hope that our
Army may soon be able to give the enemy a death blow. I
suppose you have heard all the particulars of the battle of the 23 I was in six feet of Gray when
he fell he was shot in the head and never moved after
he was shot. Lieutenant Willson
[page 3]
was some
three our four yards behind me. I miss him a great deal
he always was a great friend of mine he was a brave and
honorable man & died fighting for his liberty, every thing looks gloomy at present but the
soldiers seem willing and ready to fight them at any time that we may be ordered
towards them.
The enemy are in [unclear: Edingburg] six miles below Mount Jackson. The Militia look like they are already whipped all they think about is [unclear: running].
Samuel Lightner has volunteered in our Company he has some resemblance of his late Brother J.P. Our Regiment numbers near eight hundred it will not take a very large draft to fill it [deleted: out] up. I would like very much to come home for a week or two but there is no chance for furloughs at present. Your Brothers are both well I think Jacob likes camp life very well. Nothing more at present write soon.
I remain friend & well wisher,
WFB
