Letter from a soldier to his parents during the Civil War

comfortable as we can he sayes that he aint agoing to have much Drill now days I tell you all but coming out victorious we got a terrible licking there was an awful slauter & the trouble is we could not have a chance to punish them they wer on a high bluff & we had to march over a large open field & they opened about 100 cannon on our brigad & slautered us badly our regt never fired a gun or onely now & then one we had rather a tough time out ther but I am thankfull that I got out as well as I did I never have got a scratch yet & I have been in 6 hard fights I wish that you could peep into our little tent to night I guess you would say that we are pretty comfortable when we came back from the fight I found 2 fat irishmen in my sellar witha a good thick canvass tent over it & a good warm fire in our fire place & I just told them to climb out & they did & left the tent it is a regular officers tent it makes us a splendid Manshion I mailed you a paper the other day & I wrote you a letter after the battle & it seemes that you have not got that as yet I have been promoted since the last battle to commisary Sergeant that is to draw rations for our co & deliver them out that ecuses me from all guard duty & all drills it dont make enny more duty & not quit as much it makes a little difference in pay 17 a month instead of 13 I must close my love to all I remain as ever your most affectionat Son Wilber H Merrill