I suppose you have heard before this that we were in battle -- I write this to let you know that I am well. I have always said I wanted to be in one battle but I expected I should not want to be in but one. this is true to the letter. I have been in one battle [i.e., Spotsylvania Court House, 8-19 May 1864] & hope I shall never be in another though I probably shall be. Many of the old soldiers say there has not been such a battle before since the war commenced.
     Our principal fight was the 12th but we have been under fire for several days. We have now very heavy reinforcements so I hope our part is about done. We went in with 47 men all told & the next morn we could

muster but 15 all told. I was the only non com in the whole squad but most of the rest were stragglers & now only one is unaccounted for. We had two killed & 9 wounded. but I wonder that every man is not killed.
     We were under a severe cross fire for a long time. I felt cooler than I can account for. I trust I shall meet with no loss if I fall. God can take care of me here just as well & if I fall He will not forget me. Our communication has been cut off for some time but they say we can send letters tomorrow Oh how I hope we shall get a mail I so long to hear a few words of love from those I so dearly love. I cannot stop to write more now so hoping that you will continue to pray for me as I know you do now I bid you good bye.
     We are whipping the rebs.

Your ever affectionate son John

     P.S. All the boys that you know are all right. Mace [i.e., Corporal William H. Mace, Co. D, 32nd Maine Infantry] is well. Sergt. Sproul [i.e., Sergeant James H. Sproul, Co. D, 32nd Maine Infantry] is wounded I trust not very badly. Leut Chase [i.e., 2nd Lieutenant James J. Chase, Co. D, 32nd Maine Infantry] played out before we got here & I expect he will not come back Of course I should very much regret it if he did not.

Yours with all the love of a sons heart
John.