Dear Ellen the time seems long Between
letters I have rote you twoo letters since
the Battle But have not got any answer
yet my wound is about well & I am
doing duty we are all in fine spirits
this has been the hardes battle of the west
But they cant whip Rosecrans little corps
Rosecrans is a great jineral we are looking
for another fight here soon we have
made out our payrolls & we may be paid
off I expect you have sold the cattle Before
this time Bybee says I will have 5 or 6
hundred bushel of corn to Sell you had
better sell it as soon as possible as it
will waist in the crib you rote that
you would sell the wheat soon for $1.00
I suppose you have not much to sell
I want you to live while you do live
use as much money as you please by
what you please & dont ask nobody any ads  (last work uncertain)
Ed Bowers has Been with us for 4 or 5 days
I have not got my box yet I will
Send for it to morrow I guess the Pies &
cakes will be spoiled but the butters will
Be good I have Millies & Tommies likeness
I look at them Every day I think they
are growing verry fast milly looks like
a young woman Tommy looks like he could
plow I thought that I had lost yours &
Eddys Picture But I found it this morning
So I can look at the hole family exc
Black hawk Ellen I wish that this war
was over & we was all at home as we once
was happy & in peace Ellen I have passed
through this battle with honor to myself
& to my men at the same time every man
in Company I distinguished themselves by
their galiantry I will tell you what
Colonel Caldwell Said to me after the
Battle Said he Capt Everitt you have recd
an honorable scar. I said not very honora-
ble Colonel the scar is in the Back Part of
the head & I do not think that a verry
honorable place to be wounded. ah
Said he, But you must remember you
was attacted in the rear.  Ellen I would
like to be at home first rate But
as long as the Lord will give me strength
& health I will stay with my company I
never will forsake them for they would not
forsake me when I fell on the field they
Stood by me & never will forget their
kindness I must here say that Wm Barrett
& Hanburry Hues led me from the field
they Pled for me to let them carry me
I told them no never as long as I could
walk Ellen Wm Barrett is one of the
best Soldiers & nobelest young men of this
army Give my love to his friends & tell
them they may be proud of Billy he is
an honor to the cause. Well the first
time you are in town tell Mr Cole
that Tomy Cole is all right & has
distinguished himself in this battle
for his bravery & coolness he is a brave
young man he declared when I was wounded
he would have revenge he shot upwards
of 40 rounds he Shot to kill took good
aim & kept cool well I must close
as it is know late George Peters is
well he fought like a man no flinch
to him tell Miss Ruth Collins that James
Kelly was over to see me the other day  ("Kelly" may be Killy)
he is unhurt he does not look verry
well he looks quite Pale & looks like he
had been sick but he is verry cheerful
& talked a great deal about the battle he is
a Brave soldier Ellen kiss the children
for me Keep them going to school if you
can at any reasonable expense

Give my love to all
inquiring friends
& except a portion yourself
Tell Wm Bybee to rite often Give
Dad Easom my respects
& tell him thare is no fun
on the Battle field where shells
& balls are flying & bursting
all round you.

Farewell rite soon & often
W. D. Evritt

M E Evritt