My dear Sister,

     I have been very happy to hear from you by three separate letters, as well as by the mouth of persons coming from home, since you heard by letter from me. The last letter you received from me was dated August 25th and was written at North Anna River. I wrote you another from Culpeper Court House, but never had a chance to mail it. Since that time we have done a great deal of cruel marching, been very much starved, and fought two hard battles in Maryland—one at Frog Gap in the Blue Ridge—the other at Sharpsburg. I cannot say that our Brigade as a whole was engaged in in the 1st or Sunday's fight. I do not write this letter to give you a description of marching or fighting; but simply to let you know, Dear Sister, that I Still

live. Your last kind letter was brought to me by Johnny Williams. God only knows my feelings when I saw those who had just come from near you and all that is dear to me on earth. They had come from quiet and ease and happy homes,—I shall not attempt to describe where I had come from. Since the battle of the 17th ult., when Col. Parker [i.e., Col. Francis M. Parker, 30th North Carolina Infantry] was severly wounded in the head, I have been in command of the Regiment. I haven't the heart to speak of the condition of our brigade after the fight of the 17th ult. God spare me the sight of ever again seeing it so much disorganized! I will say no more about battles now; if I am spared, you shall hear it sometime from me in propria persona.— I was truly happy to learn from your letter that Dr. [i.e., Dr. Allmond Holmes, the author's brother-in-law] is enabled to be with you so often. I feel that you will be better satisfied to have him come occasionally and see how affairs are progressing. I was highly gratified to learn that you had gotten my salt. I have thought

of it frequently. About the Cotton, do as you please, Sister, provided you have the money, and about that you didn't say a word. All the news you send me about my affairs is cheering. I hope they (the negroes) will make enough to eat and wear. I shall try to get home some time before the beginning of next year—when, dear Sister, I cannot tell. — You have my warmest thanks for the promised suit of clothes. There is no means of having anything brought from home to this place at present. If you were to send the cloth to Richmond, I might possibly never hear of it again. So you had better wait until you hear from me again. If the Yellow Fever does not prevent you might send it to Baldwin. I would be glad, if you could get enough strong woolen cloth to make Ransom a good pair of pants. I am not in need of any socks at present. — This letter I hope to send to be mailed in North Carolina, as a Lieut. from our Regiment is going there.

I was very sorry to hear of poor little Johnnie's illness, and hope he has long ago recovered. — Ransom wishes you to tell his mother that he is well, and would like to be remembered to Uncle Moses and Jim, and says that he hasn't been able to send Uncle Moses the money he promised. — Kiss the dear children for me often, and may God bless you all!

Your devoted Brother,
W. W. Sillers

Oct. 7th/62

Dear Sister, the above was written several days ago — since then there has been no change. I am quite well at present; but my heart almost bleeds, when I think of North Carolina; for poor, afflicted Wilmington always comes up. I have seen in a stray copy of the Wilmington Journal of the deaths of Mr. Bettencourt, Dr. Clinton, Dr. Dixon, Mr Jowett and others less prominent, but well known. —
God bless you all!

Your affectionate Brother,
W. W. Sillers