May 16, 1863 Moses H. Buchanan to John P. Buchanan

[envelope front]
Mr. John P. Buchanan
Goodson
Va

[left end envelope front]
Private M.H. Buchanan
Co. F. 37th regt Va Vols.

[paragraphs added for ease of reading]

Camp in the Wilderness
Spottsylvania Co. Va May 16th 1863

Dear Father
I have seated myself once more to write you a few lines to let you know that I am alive and well at this time and hope these lines may find you all in the same enjoyment of the same blessing[.]

Nothing of very great importance has taken place that I am aware of since the late battle[.]

The Yankees have been engaged all this week in removing their wounded across the river under a flag of truce[.]

In my letter to Arthur after the battle I gave a list of the casualties in co F we had six killed on the field since the battle Alderson Buchanan[,] John McClure[,] Robert Hawthorn have died of their wounds[.] Andrew Buchanan was supposed mortally wounded but is slowly recovering at present[.] Joseph Cason of the Bristol Co. was killed[.] Elcarra [?] Millard was seriously wounded in the thigh but is doing very well at present[.] The mortality in Co. F. was double that of any other Company in the regiment though a less number wounded[.]

General Edward Johnson is spoken of as our Major general[.] Gen Ewel is spoken of as Gen Jackson Successor[.] What General Lee intends doing I am not able to say but would not be surprised if a change of base took place[.] Having nothing more to write I will close[.] give my respects to all[.]

                                                 Yours affectionately
                                                                  Moses H. Buchanan
To John P. Buchanan                               Moses H. Buchanan  [second signature in different hand]