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tiest child I ever saw-yes & I can say the [begin underline] best behaved & smartest. [end underline] Her two brothers may be her equals, but you know I always loved females better than males.
I am [begin underline] very very [end underline] much oblighed to you, my dear brother for your kindness in advancing the money to pay off Dr Ashe. If it were not for Dick, I would not have a cent, whether Dr. A. got his money in ten years, or not, for I think he richly deserves to be kept out of it as long as the stay-law continues. -The price you allow me for Knob & my buggy[?], is a very liberal one -more than I would ^could have expected. I have always thought it & now I know it. You are the best brother a man ever had. I do not
[sideways in left margin] I am called to see every very sick man in the Regiment, except those in two companies & there has been [begin double underline] four [end double underline] deaths in those two companies none in any other.
say this in an ebulation of gratitude but it comes from my heart. It really & truly does.
It is now past midnight. got through with my night rounds before 11 clock, but we had company, when I got back & I had to postpone writing until very late. I would not write tonight, but I heard that one of our Capts. would leave early in the morning & I thought it best to write tonight & get him to carry my letter & mail it in the nearest Post Office.
We have had two false alarms in the last [begin crossed out] three [end crossed out] ^four nights. Both times our company was the first ready. The second time the alarm was given Walter Debnam was in command of the "W.E.Y."-[Cap?] Jones not being here & Perry being sick. Walter was considerably cha-
[sideways in left margin] Cols. Jordan & Fowle praise me most lavishly to my face. They frequently [?] me to the [?] by making remarks such as this- "Dr Battle you have done more for the sick of this Reg. than all the M.Ds. put together"
[sideways in right margin] I have at last taken to charging-was compelled to it. The Capts. of other Companies have made themselves responsible for bills against their men.
[column 1]
grined at our Company's being the first out the night before & as soon as he got [begin underline] four [end underline] more out he sang out [begin underline] "right deep" [end underline] & wanted to claim the honor of having his company out first. I hear that one of our gun-boats-the Curlew was the cause of the alarm both times. It was done purposely, I reckon, at the command of Genl. Wise (who is reported to be on the island-he having certainly started about a week ago, from Norfolk, for this part of the world.) The Curlew passed near our batteries & was fired at by the sentinels & by a cannon each time. An attack is expected [most?] every day. Ten Yankee gunboats are said to be inside of the Bar. Gun Reg. is [begin underline] very [end underline] badly armed & if the Yankees land here we are not allowed to bush-whack it, we will certainly be defeated. Upon my word, I do not believe that I would be at-all scared if the Yankees should come. I always thought before now that I was a coward.
[sideways in left margin] I could write another sheet, but it is too late to begin another. Besides I must complete a letter that I have hardly written to Miss Sophie. I write to her, bless her [?] love every week. - Love to Sis. Pat. & their children & Father & Uncle Dick.
[sideways in right margin] Write soon for your letters are always gladly received. Tell Father that a [sentence?] from him would be very acceptable. Yours very aff. brother W.H.G. Battle
[column 2 is the same as page 1 of the letter that has already been transcribed as page 5 of this document]
[this is a repeat of page 5 and page 8 of this document already transcribed]
[right margin] Wadesboro'- Jany. 13th 1862
My Dear Kemp
A few anteprandial minutes I can spend this morning for a letter to you-I would enclose the note you're owed me & speak a word or two of the business connected therewith. On the 8th, as soon as I could find him on my return home, I made a payment to Dr. Ashe of nine hundred & fifty six 50/100 Dollars on our note to him leaving not quite three hundred & seventy five still due-He said not a word about a deduction; nor did I. I suppose he has quieted all qualms in regard to the matter by his [expulsed?] intention of leaving the field to Wm. if he shall unsettle him. Mr. Ashe & the whole