My dear Sister:

     I have just waked up from a short but very warm nap. The last week has been a succession of about seven as warm days as I have felt for a long time. We have been doing nothing within three or four days. Previously we had commenced drilling; but it is really inhuman to drill any one such weather as this is.
Yours of 27th ult. was received in the evening and I had mailed my last one to you in the morning—all on the same day. I cannot thank you too much, dear Sister, for your kindness in offering to supply the place of my lost clothes. I hope you will not give yourself unnecessary trouble about his matter. — You spoke of the loss of my watch-chain and the cross. I am pretty certain I took the cross from the chain, when I was at home last summer, or perhaps earlier. I think it is in my trunk. I took it off because the hair had worn off in one place, and was liable to be ruined by constant friction. I think you will

find it in the tray of my trunk. I am very thankful I possess this memorial of dear Annie Belle.
Yours of Aug. 2d, through the kindness of Capt. Whitfield reached me last night. I am glad to hear of the favorable condition of affairs at home. The continued good health of you all is matter of congratulation to me. I am especially thankful that so far you have been spared from visitation from the dreaded Small-Pox. The prudence and common sense of our people has put a check upon it.
I would like very much to send Ransom home; but really there being only two servants, and three horses and cooking to do, I cannot well spare him. I should be glad to send him for many reasons. Chiefly because he could see everything at home, and by degrees I could pump it out of him. It will would take me a week or two to do this latter. Is there any way to clothe and shoe my negroes next winter? This among other things I would like to know. Ransom fell in with a party of pillaging soldiers at Gettysburg and got possession of several small articles for his mother. He didn't get much, but what

he did get was very useful, such as spools of thread, a pair of shoes for children. I thought I would try and get Johnnie and Bessie and the baby some shoes and other articles; but when I came to think about it, I couldn't imagine what sizes I ought to get. I didn't have the most distant idea. As for clothing it was a very difficult matter to get into a dry-goods store. None were opened that I know of unless under compulsion and you know, Sister, I was never much of a hand to force my way through.
You know the bottle of French Brandy Dr. Boykin kindly put in the box you sent me before I left Fredericksburg. Well, the Yankees got that bottle of Brandy, when they took our mess-chest at Waterloo Gap in Pennsylvania. We drank the claret with plenty of ice in it at Carlisle Barracks in Pennsylvania. We were then eighteen miles from Harrisburg. We spent three days very pleasantly at Carlisle. This was the chief Station for instruction of the Cavalry of the Regular Army. The Buildings were numerous, and quite attractive. The buildings were constructed, so it is said, in the latter part of

the last century. There were two or three Regiments stationed here when we were advancing. They retired very precipitately upon our close approach. A great many small things were left behind. There was every indication of pleasure and quiet here. Genl. Fitzhugh Lee burned all these buildings down. It seems a great pity, when I think of it; but then they belonged to Lincoln. I could write you a good deal, Sister; but I hope as I have made two trips to Maryland since I was at home, the next time I go out of Virginia, it will be to North Carolina. It seems a long time since I was at home, Sister. You must give my love to all the family, to Dr. and kiss the dear little children often for me. — Robt. and Jim Crumpler, and Henry Williamson [i.e., Sgt. Robert M. Crumpler, Cpl. James M. Crumpler, and Sgt. Henry Williamson, all Co. A, 30th North Carolina Infantry] are all at home. Some of them will be well enough to return soon. Ask Dr. to inquire for you. Any one of these would bring my clothes.

Your affectionate Brother,
W. W. Sillers