May 22nd, 1863 [Friday]. Willowgate
My Dear Will:
I am just going to send George to Bridgeville with the carriage for your sister Mary and one of her school mates, Miss Mobray, I think her name is, and although I am tired, having just come in from plowing, I thought I would write you a line.
I have received one letter from you since the great battle fought by Hooker and hope to get another today, delivered by George, giving a more satisfactory account of the battle, and of the part you took in it and how you lost your men, whether in battle or on pickett duty.
Your Ma, Aunty, and I joined in writing you since we received your letter and when you write again please inform me whether you received our letter and also whether you received one or two which I wrote you about the time this army moved over the Rappahannock to fight. I wrote you once or twice about that time, but I fear you never received them.
I spent the Saturday and Sunday, that you were fighting the Rebel Army, in Wilmington, and went the next day to Philadelphia, to see your Aunt Hetty and Theodore Parker.
It is known here that Stonewall Jackson was killed during the recent battle also that Van Dorn in the Southwest had been killed.
When you write again, give me a statement of the losses sustained by the army in the late battles, also the newspapers of the Rebels. The news-papers differ so widely that I do not know what the truth is. Also let me know what is likely to be the next move of the army. Some of the news-papers openly declare that your failure under Burnside and Hooker both is attributable to the inefficiency or want of purpose, or treason of Genl. Halleck the Commander in Chief. What do you think of this old gentleman? What does the Army think of him? I see the Delaware Republican, published in Wilmington, charges him bodily with all our misfortune.
I must close this letter and let George go. Write as soon as you receive this and answer my questions.
I have loaned some of your money for you and if you will save some more and send it home, I will invest it for you so that it will pay you 6 percent or, buy Government Stock for you that pay you 3 percent every 3 months in gold.
Your father, I. M. Fisher
