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

1861-1862 20 items William F. Brand to Amanda C. Armentrout [Folder 1 of 4] Brand #11332 

[The following letter has about 1/2 inch of the right side of page one torn off.]

Campt Near Winchester

December 29th 1861

Ever Dear Kate,

I recieved [sic] your letter on the 20th & it was a most welcome letter for our Reg. was on piket [sic] near the banks of the Potomac & occatio_____ the enimy [sic] would throw a bumbshell [sic] as _____if feeling for our situation but ______ warsted [sic] amiuition [sic] in vain ______ [.] you may know that your letter _____ being recieved [sic] in such a _____ would make a lasting impres___ [-must be "impression"] on my mind & thare {sic] I vowed before Almighty God that I would never play annother [sic] card[.] it was very seldom that I ever played; when I played it was for mear [mere] amusement but well I know thare [sic] was a better way to spend my time. this is quite a lonesome day hear [here], though a beautifull [sic] Sabbath morning evry [sic] thing looks quiate [quiet] but dull, it is quite a picture to look around on my m___[mess ?] some are Cooking some eating some writing & some sleeping[.] we had ______

[page two - portions missing from left hand margin]

____ for breakfast you would laughf [sic] if ____ could see us cooking evry [sic] one ____ have something to say how ____ & such a thing ought to be done _____ H. Brownlee is hear [sic] today tis the ____[first ?] time I have seen him since _____ went to Washington Co: [.] he looks _____ very well. Tom is Gen. Garnett [‘s] orderly. ____ hat [what] sort of a Christmas did you have[?] mine was very dry [.] it seemed to me like a Sabbath[.] it was ____ beautiful day[.] I would like __ry [very ?] much to have been at home ___I know that I could have had __ome [some] pleasure[.] I will long remember the plesant [sic] hollow days[.] we had a turkey Christmas day for dinner & have had one since, thare [sic] was an inspection this morning a 9 Oclock A.M. wee [sic] had a tolerable hard trip to the Potomac a fiew [sic] weeks a go on[.] it is hard to me as I was not very well[.] I had the yellow Jaunders [sic][.] I was very near ____ broke down[.] it is useless to __rite [write] evry [sic] think [thing] that happened ____ it has been published in the news papers

[page three - portions torn from right hand margin] I hope John is geting well so [he ?] can enjoy him self through the ____ low [?] days[.] I assure you that I shall never think less of him for telling on me for he is a man I grat__[greatly ?] esteem[.] I only wish that he w______ correct me of evry [sic] fault that _____ have[.] give my love to him if he is at home when this reaches yo[u ?][.] you can keep the socks untill [sic] I return[.] my health is very good at presant [sic] & I hope when these fi____uninterresting [sic] times come to ha___ you may be enjoying the sume___[summer’s ?] blessing. My Brothers are both wel_____[.] you Cousin Abe was down hear [here] yesterday[.] the most of the boys trea_ [t ?] him coldly because he had him self detailed to wait on the sick[.] he spent to most of his time with me[.] I hurd [sic] that he started home yesterday[.] I hope that he may have a pleasent [sic] time. I must bring this short letter to a clo___[se] [.] I ask an interrest [sic] all your _____ give my love to all & resurve [sic] _____respective portion for your _____

[page four] {W ?]rite soon as I am always glad [to] herir [hear] from [.] nothing more write ___on [soon]

W.F.Brand

PS. _____New Years gift