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
Campt on Ruge Hill
Freind Kate
It has been some time since I recieved your kind letter and would have answered it sooner if we had have been campt at any one plase long enoughf to write it.
My health is very good & hope this may find you enjoying the same
blessing. Thare are no news of importance to write. Our
Company
[page 2]
reorganized to day for the War; our Commissioned officers
are as follows, Capt.
Jas. W Newton, Lieut
Chas. W Grills 2nd Lt
[unclear: Churgus] Grills & [unclear: 2nd 2] David F
Eachord. We have a very large Com. I hope that our
Army may soon be able to give the enimy a death blow. I
suppose you have hurd all the perticulars of the battle of the 23 I was in six feet of Gray when
he fell he was shot in the head and never mooved after
he was shot. Lieut Willson
[page 3]
was some
three our four yards behind me. I miss him a grate deal
he always was a grate friend of mine he was a brave and
honorable man & died fighting for his liberty, evry thing looks gloomy at presant but the
soldiers seem willing and ready to fight them at any time that we may be ordered
to wurds them.
The enimy are in [unclear: Edingburg] six miles below Mt Jackson. The Malitia look like thay are already whipt all thay think about is [unclear: running].
Samuel Lightner has Volenteered in our Com he has some resemblance of his late Bro J.P. Our Regt. numbers near eight hundred it will not take a very larg draft to fill it [deleted: out] up. I would like very much to come home for a week or two but thare is no chance for furloughs at presant. Your Brothers are both well I think Jacob likes camp life very well. Nothing more at preasent write soon.
I remain friend & well wisher,
WFB
