1863 July 7
Thunderbolt Battery
July 7, 1863
My dear companion,
I seat myself to drop you a few lines which will inform you that I am not well, but I think I am a little better this morning. I still think I am taken like I was last year at the salt works. I have a chill sometimes and at others, fever. And my back and hips pain me very much. I hope these lines will find you well.
I think I will get a letter today.
Our marching orders were countermanded the other day, so we will not move now. You may continue to write. Mrs. Benson can tell you more than I have time now to write. I hope I’ll hear from you when Mrs. Orear comes.
I stated to you in my last that Mr. Shirley was dead. He died about three weeks ago.
We lost our Major. He died night before last of fever. Maj. John R. Giles is no more. He was the best officer in this Regiment. He was possessed of all the qualities to make a man desirable. He did not exact any more of his men than his duty compelled him to. They started with him yesterday to Wilmington, North Carolina, where he is to be buried.
Our Adjutant is sick now. We have a heap of sickness in camps now.
I will send this by Mrs. Benson. They say that if I don’t get better, I shall have a furlough, but I have not got much confidence in them. They talk any way.
So I will close.
Yours, etc.
W. H. Harden
Mrs. Nancy J. Harden