1862 March 26 Mt Jackson

Mt Jackson March 26th 1862

Dear parents

I once more seet myself to
try to write you a few lines in answer to your
kind letter of the 17th of this month I got it
yesterday and was glad to hear from you all
and to hear that you was well I am well &
hope these few lines will find you all well
we have been in a battle at winchester and
got whipped and lost a good many men our
Companys los killed and missen is nine men
and severel wounded--among the wounded is
Capt Cowan & George. Capt is badly wounded
George Slitely dave is well James A Gilmer is
well we was in a hot battle I cum out
in untuched. The yankees are afollowing us
I expect we will go to Staunton the yankees
had about five men to our one they wouldent
let us go to bury our dead you said that
hayes & Cumming was cumming out hear if
they dont com before this letter comes let
them stay out their and fight where they
will be close home its no disgrace for them
to fight in the malitia if they com out
hear they cont know who their officers
will bee. pa I havent much news to write.

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only their is but little sickness in the army
at this time only the wounded men. William
Howard was wounded the nearest I com getting
shot was through my coat but it did not
tuch my hide. all the news I have is about
the fight and I cant tell you much about
it unless I was their where I could
talk with you the muskate fight lasted
one hour and 3/4 of an hour. we let the field
Spotted with yankees and dead ones at that
pa I will bring my badly written and badly
spelt letter to a close all you want to
know is whether I and our frie[n]ds are well
or not and as far as I know they are all well
with the exception of the wounded
I think bob will get well give my
respe[c]ts to all enquiring friends so nothing
more at present write soon
Wm R Gilmer
C. Gilmer
M. Gilmer

William R. Gilmer, Private, Co. I, 37th Virginia

MSS 5194