1862 September 21 Battlefield Md.

                    Battlefield Md
            Sep 21st 1862 A.M.
   Dear Sister
                        Amidst great
confusion I write this morn-
ing We are now very truly in the
field of action Within
the last 24 hours I have seen
and heard over a hundred
thousand soldiers pass by our
encampment, and we are
now in the heart of Mc-
Clellans Army. All goes
well with me up to this
hour; I am very much
fatigued and our Co. is
resting to day.  Last night
we had been on duty
and had hardly had time

[page 2]
to get off of our  horses
a minute let alone get-
ting any thing to eat for
48 hours  Day before yes-
terday I had just finished
writing Miss S[?] R. a let-
ter  no more than an 1/2 hour
when we were called into
action.  Our Cavalry had
been held in reserve but
then we rushed forward to
meet the enemy.  We  were
warmly received with both
bullet & shell. But one
man of our Co was kill-
ed and none wounded
My horse was shot with
three bullets.  One went
through his shoulders
and lodged in My Saddle

[page 3]
an other hit him in his
right side and the other
in his nose. I came
off of the fight on the
dead man's horse. The
man that was killed was
H Thomas.  He lived near
the Jordan school house
on the road to Sterling.
Please inform the folks
who live on his farm
close to Sweney's farm.
I have not seen any boys
here except our regt that
I  know I cannot tell what
we shall do in the future
probably stay with McClel-
lans army.  We are in the
5th division of Cav-
alry.

[page 4]
You must write often
and soon. Give my re-
gards to all and receive
much love your selves
yours very truly
                W H Redman
P.S. tell Father that I dont
[want] him to forget to pay Sheriff
Leander [or Landon?] 7 dollars.  & pay the
editors Mirror one Dollar
Satisfy  [?] for the watch
Do the best you can
with the debts & I will
send you money as soon
as I can.
     Direct Co. C 12 Ills Cav.
     5th Divis Cav
      Gen McClellans
                  Army

MSS 7415