1862 March 4 Winchester, Va.

Camp Near Winchester
March 4th 1862

Dear Kate
I received your
much welcomed letter
a fiew days ago and now
seat my self to drop
you a fiew lines my
health is very good &
hope this may find you
enjoying the same blessing
The health of the Com. is
very good at presant
we have evacuated Camp
Zollicoffer & Campt in
a half mile of Winchester
I believe that we are going

[page 2]
to evacuate Winchester as
thay are moving all the
Government property
pack[sic] to Strausburg
& all the sick are hurryed
back It is reported that
the yankies have posession
of Martinsburg Charles
Town and Berry ville but
I do not believe it
and still hope that we
may be ordered back
to our Cabbins, before
long, The question was
asked our Com yesterday
whether we would inlist
for the war or not
Thirty five enlisted for
the war the remainder

[page 3]
say they will stand the
draft, I am no longer
a volintier but a regular
for the war be it long
or short & my prayer is
that the God of Nations
may help me as the apple
of his eye I will look to
him at all times for
he is able to save in
the darkest hours of per
il, It is an assurance most
dear to know that he will
not forsake those that
put thare trust in him
I was very sorry that your
Brother did not reinlist
as I would like to have
his Company as a gide

[page 4]
through this tempestuous
world of war I suppose
thare is a grate deal of
excitement in old
Augusta at this time
on account of the draft
that is to be made this
month I hope that it
may hit some of the
speculators I hope I
may have the pleasure
of getting home on
furlough before long
I would like very much
to see you Remember me
in your prayers that I
may hold out faithfull
to the end write soon I rem
ain your devoted friend

W.F.B.

Miss Amanda Armentrout
Lacy Springs
Rockingham
Co. Va.

MSS 11332