1862 February 10 Winchester, Va

Winchester Virginia February 10th 1862

Dear Pa

I once more seet my self to write
a few lines to let you know that I am well
and hope these few lines will finde you
all in good health. We are once more back
to our olde chimneys all crowded around
in our olde tents. Pa I recken I need not tell
you about our travails for you can see
it in the abingdon Virginian it also
telles about our little fight. Pa we
are trying to make up a horse coumpany
I expect you better keep hayes at home
for you cant do without us both
I have joined a horse coumpany. bob has
wrote to the govener to know on what
turms we will be received I dont
know whether we will get our coumpny
or not. James A. Gilmer & myself has been
out hawling wood it put me in remembr
ence of home I thought of doll & Jack
& the olde flat woods. The sun is shining
to day it looks like I ought to bee at
home aplowing and the rest of the boys
at the shugar camp but I am far from
home and it is unsurten when I will

[page 2]
be their but I hope the day is comming
when I can cum home and have peace but
without peace home would do me no good
but little or no good, but you all know
that I would like to bee at home with
you all and live with you all but the times
are such that we cant all be together
as we once was. We cant all be at home
and I recken I might as well be from
home as any of the rest. This is the prettiest
day that we have had since the first of
January and I hope the weather will contin
ue so. I under stand that the govener has
called on Russell [County] for four hundred more
men I recken it will open some of their
eyes I recken they will call for volunteers
and if they dont volunteer they will be
forced out, the volunteers are reinlisting
wright ahead. all but our regiment they
they[sic] seem to be some what backward
about it, but I think we will get our
coumpany. our regiment is recruiting since
we cum from Romney, while we was their
our regiment was half on the sick list
Pa I have nothing of importance to write
to you so I will have to bring my letter
to a close but remain your affectionate
Son William R. Gilmer

Pa you must write
to me

MSS 5194