July 28, 1863 [Tuesday]
Dear Brother:
I suppose you have been informed of the death of our dear cousin, William J. Fisher? He was killed at the battle of Gettysburg on the 2nd of July (Thursday). He was in command of a Company and was leading his men in a charge when he was killed. He did not live but a few minutes after he was struck. He was buried on the battle field and laid for two weeks, and he was taken up and brought home and buried.
His funeral was preached by the Rev. Mr. Massey.
It was just a week ago today that he was buried.
I was at the burial and I was very sorry that you was not there for I know that you wanted to be.
As for my part, I always thought as much of Cousin Will as if he had been my Brother.
You know that he staid at our house a year or two which made me think more of him. It made him seem more like a brother to us.
I said that he was taken up and brought home, but I did not tell you who did it. Uncle Isaac went after him when he heard that he was killed.
The way that he was buried on the battlefield was this: he was wrapped up in his blanket and laid in the ground without any coffin so that when he was taken up, his face and head was swelled so that you would not know him (so Uncle Isaac said). He was not opened at his last burial so that he was not seen by any one, not even his mother.
When I see you I will tell you more about it. You, nor I, will ever see him here any more. ________ ____________
You wanted me to tell you how much wheat we raised. We raised in all 2 and a ½ bushels of wheat and 41 bushels of rye. We ourselves raised 33 and a ½ bushels. It was very wet and [illegible] smelled badly so that I expect 30 bushels will measure it. [illegible] was not expected.
I am writing this in my school room after school so that I am here by myself; the scholars having gone home.
It is getting most dark so I will have to close.
You must write as soon as you receive this. I will write to you again before long.
Don’t show this to any one.
The reason I have not written before is because I have not felt much like doing anything and I expected you got Uncle Isaac’s letter informing you on Cousin Will’s death?
When you write, tell me whether you did get it or not.
Our wheat has been threshed more than once.
In your next letter ask me anything you want to know and I will tell you if I can.
Your affectionate Brother, Will
N. B. You must not let anybody see this for it is written so badly that I should be ashamed of it.
Your Bro., Will
