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.

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-Mary D. Edwards Summer 2000

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

Camp McGruder

August 15th 1862

Dear Kate

I recieved [sic] your much wellcomed [sic] letter last week & was glad to hear from you[.] My health is very good at present & hope theese [sic] fiew [sic] lines may find you enjoying the same blessing[.] We have had annother [sic] very hard battle on the ninth of this month[.] I suppose you have heard the perticulars [sic] before this[.] Brother John was slightly wounded in the early part of the engagement[.] Charles was hurt in the hand with his ramrod while loading his gun[.] thay [sic] ware [sic] both sent to the hospital at Sharlottsville [sic][.] our

[page two] loss was estimated at six hundred killed & wounded. The enimies [sic] at three thousand[.] Our Brigade recieved [sic] a grate [sic] deal of praise for its bravry [sic] on the battle field. It sertainly [sic] did act nobly[.] your Brother was not very well and was excused by the Sergeon [sic] & stayed back with the waggons[.] he did not have the good luck of being in the fight[.] he has got right well again & I hope his health may continue to be good for we all miss him when he is sick or absent[.] We captured four or five hundred prisaners [sic] & two pieces of canon[.] I was glad to hear Mr. Burkholder health was improveing & hope he may soon recouver [sic] his former strength[.] you referd [sic] me to a piece

[page three] of portry [sic][.] I well remember but it has been a long time since I wrote it & if you recieved [sic] any lately it was not from me nor have I the least idear [sic] who gave it to you[.] I am sorry I did not get to see you & Lizzie the Sunday I left[.] it was late when I got to Greenville & I went down to Mr. Burke & then to Mr. Newtons and by that time _____ ching was out. Orders just come for us to cook two days rations[.] I suppose we will hafto [sic] march to morrow[.] General Lee was at Gordunsville [sic] to day. Yesterday was thanksgiving day in our army for the Merciful kindness God showed toward us in the battle of Ceder [sic] Creek[.] I hope the God of battles may

[page four] still crown us with sucksess [sic] in future engagements[.] I would like very much to be up in Augusta now & go a whirtle berrying[.] I know I could have a grate [sic] deal of pleasure[.] I suppose Sam Fiteh has been down a half dozen times by this time. Me and Sam are not as intimate as we was once[.] he treated me very kindly when I was at home[.] he has a smooth tongue & seems to be a real ladies man[.] Dear Kate I have nothing to write that will interrest [sic] you[.] I cannot write a good letter so you must not exspect [sic] one from me[.] My friend John sends a note in my letter. My respects to all the family[.] Write soon to your warmest friend & well wisher[.] W. F. B.

[Attached is an envelope addressed to Miss Amanda C. Armentrout, Greenville, Augusta County, Virginia. A notation on the envelope is "11th [or 17th] letter".]