University of Virginia Library

Letter from William Francis Brand to Amanda Catherine Armentrout, September 25, 1864

As I had no chance to send
my letter since I wrote it I thought
I would brake it oben & write a few more
lines. The Enimy attacked us soon after
I had finished it & I have had no
chance to send it since My health
is still good. but I am very tired
The enemy maſsed thare troops in
front of the left wing of one army
& succeeded in diving it back & in
very bad order some of the enimies cav.
had got in our rear. nothing but night
saved our army. We lost ten or twelve
peaces of artilery & a good many
prisaners J.H. Hight Tho, Smith &
Wm Holbert have not come up yet.
Im fearfull they are taken thay may
have made thare escape to the Mt.
Wm Hieger is still out but think
will come in yet as he was on the
mountain garding the signal corps

Yesterday we had to retreat
twelve miles in line of battle. Then
when night came on we marched some
twelve miles towards the Mountain
on the Keezletown road starting
early the morning fell back to
Browns Gap. The alley seems alm ost to be at the mercy of the eni
my I hope we may soon be reiforced
& drive them down the Valley
double quick. I hope this may
reach you before the mail route
gets blockaded I will soon have
to quite writing soon as it is
getting so darck I can not see
& have three days rations to cook
before I can lay down & rest