cams_OAyers_b12_F006_005_003

Our Reg. [regiment] has been doing a thorway [throwaway]
business during my absence
having captured about forty rebs [rebels]
with horses arms and equipments
One of Mosbies [Mosby's] men came and
gave himself up and offered himself
as guide which was accepted he
telling them he could lead them
just where they would find them
Our boys went in the night and
took them from their beds' and some
from their wives dear souls Oh!
what a fall from bliss supreme
is that from beauties arms to prison
walls. I found our camp on our
Co sad from the death of of one of
best men who was shot accidentaly [accidentally]
by his own carbine whilst guarding
prisoners. His name was Fred Wilson
and he contributed largely towards
the life of the Co being ever jovael [jovial]
and ready with a song or anachdote [anecdote]
of a rich life of experience He
was young but had seen much
of stunning life over the greatest portion
of the world having been in
the Crimean war and in the
troubles in India but an American
by birth and a union man by principle
We mourn the loss of a good man
but his life was given in a good
cause I have but little more
to offer I gave Sargeant [Sergeant] Anderson
Amelia's gift he did not commence
to eat it untill [until] dark and the first
mouth full was Cloves he came
running into my tent enquiring
what was in the apple, but he
said "remember me in thanks
to your sister" for her gift.

I fear we are to looze [loose] our
orderly as he is offered a commision [commission]
in a negro regiment of Cav [cavalry]
forming in mass Eight of our
Sargeants [Sergeants] in this reg [regiment] are
offered commissions