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 [sic] Near Fairfax C. C.

Oct. 4th 1861

Dear Kate

I have taken the present opportunity of time to write you a fiew [sic] lines for the purpose of answering your Past letter which I recieved [sic] a fiew [sic] days since[.] You wrote as if I was trifling with your good nature. I would rather fall in the cause of our country than to blindfold you in any way. you ware [sic] mistaken in seeing a letter of mine to Miss Hess as you stated[.] I recolect [sic] well at the last of my letter to her I had. - from your devoted friend and if you do,nt [sic] believe me I only ask you to look at it again none

[page two] but Sam Hitch [or Fitch] new [knew] my motive in writing her that letter it was for his benfit [sic] she had lost confidence in him. on account of some lies that had been told on him about her. Shee [sic] wrote to me stating that I was in Sams presance [sic] when he talked about her[.] She said that if the things ware [sic] true she was done with Sam for ever. It was all a lie that some of his enimies [sic] had ma __ [page torn] on him, through Sams persuasion I tried to write a forcible letter for I niew [sic] that Sam still loved her. & I am sertain [sic] that she once loved him[.] I suppose if she was my devoted lover __ would have written to her since wich [sic] I have never done. very proberably [sic] this will

[page three] be hard to believe but it is eaven [sic] so; your advice is good but in no way. I do,nt [sic] think that I have tried to fool any one & God forbid that I should. I have had ____ [page torn] blues ever since I recieved [sic] [your?] letter. I used to think that _____ [page torn] nature was to strong to ____ [may be word missing here] be subject unto grief but alas it is far from it[.] Thare [sic] are no news of importance to write[.] Our regament [sic] was on piket [sic] last week. I could see the dome of the Capital [sic] in Washington. City on masons hill[.] I could see vessels going up and down the Potomac at Alexandria[.] I could see the Yankee fortifications to the right of Alexandria[.] I couldent [sic] get to look through

[page four] the spy glass, Capt said he could see the Yankees working on the breastworks[.] Capt - counted eightteen [sic] pieces of canon [sic] on one of thare [sic] earth work entrenchments[.] I was the first one to discover after we ware [sic] put on post a [page torn] __rge [orange ?] ballon [sic] up in the __ [direction ?] of Washington [page torn] had climed [sic] a large white oak tree for the purpose of getting a good view of the country thare [sic][.] was some shootting [sic] evry [sic] day that we ware [sic] thare [sic] ; we could hear the Yankee drumbs [sic] beating evry [sic] night the last two or three days[.] it was very rainy weather [.] we had plenty of rostingears [sic] while we ware [sic] at Pagets tavern[.] thare [sic] was a large field of Yankee corn close[.] We had to fall back about three miles before our time was out as the Yankees ware [sic] advancing but I believe it was done to draw them on[.] nothing more but remain your affectionately. Write Soon

Yours & C W.F.B.

[Written in margin on page one:] My health is very good & hope this will find you enjoying the same blessing[.] It is my desire that this letter should be kept secret as it might make enimies [sic] someday[.] Write soon nothing more from your umble [humble] friend W.F.B.