Bottoms bridge Va
		Jun 3d 64
	Dear sister it is with pleasure
that I take this opportunity
of writing you afew lines to
let you know that I am well
and hope that these few
lines may find you the same
we have but few opportunities
to write now I have only written
two or three letters since I started
on this campaign which has
been the hardest that we
have been in by agreat deal
we have had five killed
and four wounded this Spring
the names of those killed
are J W Brown S Cary
A Decker J [Cryderman?] and
Henry Edwards those wounded
are W Martin M E [Hinchmon?]

   sergt O W Danolds and
a young man by the name of
hammond our michigan
brigade

  P S the male is going
of now so good by for this 
time with much love
to all I am as ever
your brother	
	      Gershom W mattoon