Camp Stephen,
March 11, 1862
Mrs. Juliet McClelland
Dear Sister:
Once more I attempt to write you a few lines in order to let you know that I am well and I sincerely hope
these few lines find you and your family in the enjoyment of good health for that is the greatest blessing we
can enjoy in the world. Julie, I have had some pretty hard times since I left home but never have I
complained or failed to do my duty to the best of my knowledge. Tom was always to be found at his ,post.
James is well except a light bruise of his arm. His horse threw him over his head yesterday. I wrote a
letter to Mary the other day. I wrote a letter home today. How are you getting along in your new house. Has
Will got it finished. How is Carlton and Ed getting along. Are they going to school this winter. Tell them
to be good boys and they may ride Pansy when I come home. How does things jog along in Fulton? I would like
to know how is John and Lide getting along? Cole and Sarah Me., William Merrill and E. McClung. Last but not
least, Nancy Me and little Vi. I expect you wonder how we get along in regards to cooking. Well John Turner
and James Mc do the most of the cooking. I help them sometimes but I burn my fingers every time I ??o to do
anything so I don't do much. Ed brings the water so we get along very well. We will all be good cooks when we
get home. Well Julie I suppose you would like to know how we got along in the battle. Well we had pretty warm
work the first day. The second day was not so hard when I first got into it. When the bullets began to
whistle round my head it made me dog. I began to think that would not do so I straightened up and let them
bly. I cannot tell how I escaped unhurt but I came out without a scratch. James' horse threw him and he lost
his hat and sabre but was not hurt the first day of the fight. I had but ten men with me at night but I got
them out the next day. I took three prisoners, one leuitenant. I lost my horse the second day. He was
almost run down and one of the men was sick so I let him take my horse back to camp. .After he got to camp
him and I and about twenty more men went out to get some corn and there about one hundred and fifty
Confederates came on them, killed one, took four prisoners and ten horses mine among the rest so I lost horse,
saddle and bridle. I bought another today. I had to pay $1.20 for him but he is a good horse. I will make
some of them pay for it yet. Tell William I want him to write. It has been sometime since I have received
any letters from him. It is getting late and I guess the rest of the boys is all in bed. Answer this if you
think it worth answering. I have never received a letter from mother Mc since I left home. Give my respects
to all who inquire after me. I do now know when I will have a chance to send this. Excuse this writing. I
still remain the same bad boy.
Lieut. Thomas G. McClelland