1862 September 19 near Sharpsburg Md

             On the field near
Sharpsburg Md Sept 19/62
Dear Father & Mother
    We have been in the front
for several days
have been in two
terrible battles . The
first was on Sunday
last, on the summit
of Blue Ridge We drove
the enemy from his
position with terrible
slaughter We lost in
our Reg't about 30 kiled
& near 100 wounded
We again met them
on Wednesday and again
lost severely  I was in
both engagements but
came out unhurt
I helped take off the wounded

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on the Sabbath both
Mark Slonecker & Will Creps
were mortally wounded
early in the engagement
Mark died the same
evening.  Will Creps lived
near two days, but died
I cant now learn the
exact time he was
wounded int he head & was
taken back to Middletown
They have commenced the
fight again this Monday
I hardly think our regt
will be engaged but
cant tell
I will write a few
lines to Creps which
you cant[sic] give to him
immediately
I wrote to Sloneckers this
morning I have Marks
money &c in charge

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                Write soon
              Your aff son
                 J.D. Templeton

P.S. I have written a few
lines to Creps which I
wish you to take to
him I have had but
a few moments to write
and am tired out
You will explain it
to him.
             Yours J.D. T.

James Dinsmore Templeton, musician and private in the 23rd Ohio

MSS 10317