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to my dear wife

He does not think the Rebels will be able to fight much longer. He suspects the war will be settled in the summer.

GLC02740.30

to my dear wife

very difficult to read.

GLC02740.31

to my dear wife

One of the lieutenants deserted to see his parents, but they caught him and sentenced him to be shot. The weather is quite warm now. They have their guns now.

GLC02740.32

to my dear wife

They have been under constant marching orders. They are now a few minutes walk from Rebel lines.

GLC02740.33

to my dear wife

He is sorry to hear the baby is sick. He is currently in the book house, just killing time. The Rebels currently have to keep shooting across lines all night to prevent deserters.

GLC02740.34

to my dear wife

He forgives her for writing "that letter," but does not say what was in the letter. He has got four months pay now besides the bounty money at his disposal.

GLC02740.35

to my dear wife

He is in site of the Rebels' picket line. They plan to surround them and starve them. They can't last much longer. He thinks he will come out all right.

GLC02740.36

to my dear wife

He describes a battle in which the Rebels lost 400 people.

GLC02740.37

to my dear wife

The Rebels lost 3,000 soldiers recently.He describes their efforts to take care of the dying and wounded.

GLC02740.38

to my dear wife

He warns her not to expect him home in a few months. It could be the rest of the year. He guesses that every day since they left they have marched about 300 miles.

GLC02740.39

to my dear wife

He has been feeling sick lately. He reassures her that he won't be reenlisting. He tells her to keep up the courage, for he will be coming home soon.

GLC02740.40

to my dear wife

He talks of wanting to come home. He speculates on when they may begin discharging soldiers. He also mentions seeing all the wounded from the last battle and how devastating it was.

GLC02740.41

to my dear wife

He has a bad cough. He plans to send her a picture of gallups island and city point. He will soon witness a man getting shot. They plan to shoot him so that he falls into the coffin. He worries his heart will get hardened to such sights.

GLC02740.46

to my dear wife

His cough is getting better. He talks of wanting to go home and the nice times they will have.

GLC02740.47

to my dear wife

They are going to be sent to Maine as sharpshooters since they cannot be put anywhere else in the United States. He sees a lot of Rebels coming in lately and describes them as good-looking, smart men.

GLC02740.48

to my dear wife

There is a heavy battle going on nearby. They, on the other hand, are still having good times. They do not have their rifles yet. He reminds Lizzie that she is always in his prayers.

GLC02740.49

to Unknown

The author encloses a picture the boys gave to him. The picture is unidentified but is most likely Wilmot Thompson. He is shown with the picture of a car in the background.

GLC02740.50

Short timeline of major events in Wilmot Thompson's life

Starts with when he enlisted in the Maine Sharphooters.

GLC02740.51

to my dear wife

He has not felt well for a while. He is sorry to hear the baby is sick. He writes that he always thinks of the friendship they share.

GLC02740.52

to Unknown

Partial letter later used for scratch paper: He is very glad someone wrote to him and asks that his respects be given to Miss Whiting.

GLC02740.53

to Lizzie

He is missing her very badly and says he has taken a picture of her with him.

GLC02740.54

Application for Pension from J.B. Cralle & Co.

GLC02740.55

Application for Disability from J.B. Cralle & Co.

GLC02740.56

Application for Disability from J.B. Cralle & Co.

Copy of GLC02740.56.

GLC02740.57

Application for Membership in Grand Army Republic

GLC02740.59