1861 Oct[ober] 22 Camp bartow Pocahuntas co Va

Dear brother & sister

I received your kind letters
yesterday eavning and red them with much
pleasure I was truly glad to learn that
Hayes was able to write. I am tolabry well
this morning the doctor Said that I had a Slite
attack of the feever but I feel as well as
ever except the the[sic] head ache. I am very harty
I can eat as much beef as any of the boys
I have got so that I like beef better
than bacon it is getting cool heare
and beef is getting good. The boys hear
are all cutting up some gambling Some
fighting Some one thing and Some another
Since we drawe our money the boys
are gambling right ahead. About ten of
our Sick boys come up yesterday David Cowan
has got up with us but they are agoing
to send him back to Staunton There is
a great deal Said about where we will
winter Some think we will winter
in here and Some think we will
go to Staunton Some one place and
Some another. I dont think we will
Winter in these mountains but we

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cant tell where we will winter
when we get into winter quarters we
will know and not before but I
hope we will not have to winter
in these mountains. Tell Cummings that
I want him to ride my filly this
winter. And to not let him ride
her like he did once before out
there by the barn and if he cant
ride her let hayes try hur and if
Hayes cant ride hur Just let hur
run till Ranny comes home and he
will Show you fun. I am jus talking
Chum[?] I know you can ride hur
Hayes I am glad to learn that you
able to write and I am glad hear of
pa selling his cattle and to hear of
you getting along so well seeding
Tell James to not let the plow
kick him over the fence. Tell Axley
to save me some chestnuts. Tell all
of the little ones howdy for me
Tell peggy and marian howdy for me. I have
almost forgotten some of the little ones
but I believe I can call all of their
names. As I have no news to write I will
quit your affectionate B. W. R. Gilmer

Private 37th Regiment, Virginia Infantry


MSS 5194