1862 Camp Near Winchester

    Camp Near Winchester
          October the 5th/62
Dear Father and Mother
                    I take this
present Oppertunity of
dropping you a few lines
to let you know that
I am well at present
hoping when theas few
lines come to hand
they may Find you
enjoying the Same
Blessing   I have no news
of importance to write
to you I Recd your letter
a few days ago I was glad
to here from you all
we have had several hard
Battles lately the Battle of
Boonsboro (and) Sharpsburg
the Battle of Sharpsburg
was the most Bloody
Battle a[s] ever was faught

[page 2]
On the American
Continent  Stone wall
Jackson Captured harpers
ferry & with 8000 priseners
& about 1300 stand of
Small arms several pieces
artilery and a great
many other things a
qonitity of ammunition
this move in Maryland
was only to flank the
yankey at harpers ferry
But we lost a great
many of Lovering Boys
-& I must give you
the names of wounded
in our Company Phillip
E. Firebaugh Thomas Slack
Lieut James A Graybill
William J Manges [Manger?] I
was not in the Fight
and the reason was
I was bare footed at that time

[page 3]
the Fight at Sharpsburg
th the yankey attacted us
we we whiped Back on
the lift[sic] a bout 2 milles
in the Senter we held
our position all next
day the yankeys sent a
Flag of truce to Berry
there dead But General
Lee would not let them
we Berried Our dead and
then we at night then
Retreated a Cross the
River the yankeys so badly
Fatigued they never fired
a gun after us after we
Crossed the River  Gen Jackson
Concealed him self and
let a bout 5000 of the
enemy cross the Rifer
an then opened fire
on them killed and
captured the hole mass

[page 4]
the River was full of
dead and wounded  O this
war is a awful thing
there was was a bout 8
9 dead yankey to one of
our men  times is qiet
now I dont think we
will have any more hard
Fighting this year we dont
Get very much to eat now
only befef and Bread with
but verry little salt
I have Got me a good
Suit of close for winter
and a a new a pair of
Shoes I Father and Mother
it is heard telling what
this war is a going to turn
to times will get hearder
Now I must Bring theas
few lines to a close I Give
my love to the Children--
So nothing more Gut still
Resprean Remain your son
Fare well James B. Painter

James B. Painter  Co. K, 28th Virginia

MSS 10661