Dated, “June 11, 1862.” 2 pages in ink on lined paper, 5” x 8. Exhibits fold-marks. Ink lightly faded but entirely legible. Else VG. Text.

“Sister alice….I got your letter a weak ago to day but I have not got them things and I can’t not get track of them. I expect they have gone to Newporte news if you put them in with brads things…

When you rite you rite what things there were. I have more close than I want. I have two pairs of draws, six flannel shirts three towels. We sleep in tents now. They had a battle monday up to York Town. Part of the forth rigerment and third. Thear warse about sixteen wounded an eight killed . Thear was one quinsey boy kill, one regular. The rest of the boys were brought into the forte and put into hospittle. One of them warse berried yestday. It warse hard looking. Right there warse three thossands of rebels some had their arms and legs shot off.

I am well and so is levi. Thear will be a hard battle be fore long. It will be in virginny to. We had our orders  to in marching the other night. We packed all up and got ready but we warse not call out. The fourth rigerment have all gon out of the forte but ours. I wrote to fideal to day. Some of the boys were out on a scout and they came to gether in the night and they thought the rebels fought each other. Thare was numbers wounded. I have not enny more rite now. So good by, give my best respects to all of the folks from your brother Thatcher.”

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Gritty letter to sister Alice, from her barely literate brother Thatcher, marching into the Seven Days Battles for Richmond, summer 1862. Hard stuff.   [jp][ph:L]

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