1862 July 25 Camp near Liberty Mills

         Campt Near Liberty Mills
                       J uly 25th  1852

Dear Kate

             I seat my self once
more for the purpose of pen
-ing you a fiew lines.  I ar
rived safely in camp on the
2d[or 211] and have been improving
in health ever since.  We have
a very nice camp and the
water is very good   Our camp
numbers sixty odd at present
more than we have had present
for some time past I hope provi
dence may smile on our armies
and bless us with health.  I found
Brother John looking badly again
I was very fearfull he was taking the
fever but think he is somewhat
better today.  Charles has returned
to the Camp at last he was

[page 2]
to see [?] and ma.  he says he
had a grate deal of pleasure
I tried to shame him for treating
us all so badly by not wri
ting. he wrote home to day for
the first time for the last
six months I believe. we have
to drill twist a day.  Mr Robt
Taylor received his discharge
to day being over thirty five
years of age.  he has been as
good soldier and I am glad
to see him get of honerably
our Regt. has a Chaplain at last
he is a Baptist thare was prayer
meeting last night & night be
fore. I hope & pray that his teac
hings may be a benefit to the
Regt & that many may give
them selves over unto the true
living God, our Chaplains name
is Walters he is a very good preacher

[page 3]
well Kate I had a wonderfull
time Saturday night of the 28
hunting for deserters we all enj
oyed our selves finely serround
ing the houses & charging the dogs.
We arrested Frank Taylor & brought
him as far as Peter Hights and left
him in the charge of Isaac Vines
& George Hight untill I could go
home & return.  About sun up he ask
ed permission to go down to Mr
Faubers a half miles distant. Hight
granted his request & Vines went
with him. he had not been thare long
before he told Ike he wanted to go in
annother room to see Mr Fauber who
was sick Ike thought all was right
to let him go alone & then he made
 his escape.  Ike after looking around
for him returned aloan I had been
waiting nearby an hour. We all laugh
ed at Ike and told him he was a
bad sentinel.

[page 4]
Well Kate I came away & forgot
my preasents but I hope and pray
the day may not be very far
distant when I may return to
recieve from thee a richer & nobler
blessing, thy hand & heart. Oh dear
Kate with out thee evry thing would
be dark & dreary.  I would rise up
in the morning & lie down nights
with out having any one to whis
per the breathings of a pure
and noble heart.  I must bring
my letter to a close.  Write soon
My prayer is that you may be
blest with all the mercies of our
[alseeing?] god.  I remain your true
           and affectionate admirer
                                     W.F.B.

William Francis Brand, Co. e, 5th Virginia Infantry (Augusta Grays) to his future wife Kate (Amanda Catherine Armentrout)

MSS 11332