1. When there is no punctuation in the document, it is added in brackets if needed for clarity.

2. The notation [sic] is used to indicate a misspelled word if needed for clarity.

3. A blank space, i.e. ________ indicates a word in the document that is not dicipherable.

4. The capitalization style in the original document is copied.

5. Square brackets, i.e. [ ] are used to indicate an addition by the transcriber to clarify meaning in the original document.

6. Underlining in the original document is repeated in the transcript.

7. An attempt is made to keep editing to a minimum to preserve the often unique character of the original.

-Mary D. Edwards Summer 2000

Campt. Near Winchester

July 13th, 1861

I received your kind and most welcomed letter by the Capt. I was most happy to hear from you all[.] my health is very good and when this comes to hand I hope you may be enjoying the same; the health of our company is improving & mostly from the last two or three days and I hope before long we may all have good health as ever[.] Your friend Jimmie V is enjoying good health - he is on duty to day. John sends his love to you[.] he just know [now] came hear and laught [laughed] at me for keeping my hand over the writing[.] I will hafto [sic] stop writing at this time Saturday

This is the 15th day of July[.] I had to stop writing the other day for to go on battalion [sic] drill and it was my time to go on guard duty for Twenty four hours and this morning we ware [sic] drilling and again I have a fiew [sic] minutes of liasure [sic] time I will write[.] I have not had the opportunity of seeing Mr. J. P. L. yet[.] we are often parted hear [sic] for some times tow or three weeks[.] I do not feel like writing this eavnig [sic] and thare four [sic] you must excuse me if I may write a short letter[.] I suppose you all have hurd [sic] a crorect [correct] account of the skirmish of the 2ond [second] of this month[.] thare was but little loss on our side[.] the report is hear [sic] that we killed from Two fifty to Three Hundred of the Yankees[.] That is the statement of one of Pattersons aids[.] if all Johnsons force hear [sic] fights like the 5th regament [sic] did on the memorable seckond [second] soon whip all the Yankees back in to maryland that is all that would escape the wiry arm of the South[.] we just now recieved [sic] orders to draw three days rations and cook one days[.] it is said that the arimy [sic] is marching against us[.] it may be so but it is sirtainly [sic] to thare loss for our force now nearly eaquels [sic] thares and we have the most artilery [sic] ond [on] our side[.] we have some twenty stationed pieces and some five or six flying Batterries [sic] and all commanded by as brave as the bravest[.] all the Southren [sic] troops are as eager to fight seeminly as they are to eat[.] It seems to me that will soon whip our enimies [sic] if our offices [officers] just let us have a trial at them[.] I got acquainted with a Gentleman by the name of Brand[.] he is from with a lieutenant in the withville [sic] company[.] he said he never saw any one of the name Brand before that was not relations[.] he seemed to be very glad to see me and on parting invited me up to see him[.] he is a docktor [sic] lately from Richmond[.] I think he resembles Cousin Joseph Brand some what[.] I think he is about twenty eight years old from his looks. I shall call on him some of these eavnings [sic] before long[.] Cousin Apple is writing close to me[.] we have a hard way to write hear [sic][.] I have not had time to have my likeness taken yet but if ever I get whare [sic] I can posibly [sic] have it taken I will do so[.] I hope it may not be long untill [sic] peace may be made between the confederate states and the corrupted north[.] the drumbs [drums] are loudly beating know [now] and some of our regiments have taken up the march to ward [sic] our enimies [sic][.] they are with in [sic] twelve miles of us and it may not be long untill [sic] death may step between us but if so I hope not forever[.] ____ put my trust in the God of Battles for he is able and willing to save those that put thare [sic] trust in him[.] I received a letter from Miss Matt[.] she told me in her letter that you ware [sic] up thare [sic] to see her[.] it is useless for me to write any more at preasent [sic][.] I will inclose a pieace [sic] of portry [sic] for you[.]

I Dreamed of the [thee]

Thy head was on my sholder [sic] leaning

Thy hand in mine was gently pressed

Thine eyes so soft and full of meaning

Ware [sic] bent on me and I was blest

No word was spoken all was feeling

The silent transport of the heart

The tear that over thy cheek was stealing

Then told what could never impart

And could this be a near delusion

Could fancy all so real seem

And fancys scenes but wild confusion

And can it be I did but dream of the [thee]

I’m sure I felt thy forehead pressing

The Very Breath stole over my cheek

I’m sure I saw those eyes confessing

What tongue could never never speak

Oh no tis gone and never never

For me such waking joy may be

But I could sleep would sleep forever

Could I thus dream of thee

I remain yours &C

W. F. B.

Remember me this simple

boon I only ask of thee

Its speaks more than thousand worlds can tell

More of affections wealth conveys;

When kindred hearts responsive swell

Than breaths in passions wildest tone

Remember me when thou shalt pray

That all our sins may be forgiven

Your spirits then together may

Ascend at that same hour to heaven

And on that day of sacred rest

When thou in silent fervency [sic]

Shall bless thare [sic] names who love him best

In that warm prayer forget me not

Whare [sic] starry sentinals [sic]look down

From their high thrones to watch ore the [thee]

And thou art silent and aloan [sic],

For that still hour remember me,

by

A Friend

[Attached to this letter is an envelope addressed to Miss Amanda C. Armentrout, Greenville, Augusta County, Virgina. Penned on the face of the envelope are the words, "fifth letter".]