Will Fisher to his mother
Stafford C. H.
February 27, 1863

Dear Mother,

We received the letter giving a description of the shipping of the barrel 4 or 5 days ago, but have not felt in a writing mood or I should have answered it before. I also received one a few days previous to that. I was glad to hear of the safe arrival of the money, and was very thankful to know that we had such folks to think so much of us in the way of things to us.
You know of Jesse Wood’s death as he was taken home. I think I have written to you that I was his nurse during all of his confinement and when he died on Sunday the 15th inst., you had better believe I was very near faded out for I had been completely tied up to him the last 2 or 3 weeks of his life, & during that time did not get one good night’s rest. About 4 days before he died I began to have a little diarrhea, & ever since he died it has stuck to me until day before yesterday & yesterday & today I have felt like a new man. I hardly know how to describe this diarrhea which is so prevalent among the soldiers. It is generally bloody and followed by fever, that is the bad cases. But I feel thankful to think got it broken up. I lost, during the space of 15 days, 20 pounds of flesh. I had no appetite, but an awful thirst. William has since died of that & the fever.
The camp we are in here is a dreadful unhealthy place. We move to a new camp about a mile from here tomorrow. We have lost a good many men since we came here, about 2 a day, yesterday 3.
The 123rd only mustered about 3 or 400 men for duty, & we started with 960. I think we have seen as much banging as any other regt. of our age. But, now, I don’t want you to fret any about my sickness, for you know you wanted me to write when I was sick. I will write again in a few days & let you know how I get along.
I want to ask why Aunt R. don’t write to Jim? He has not had a letter since we came to this place. He has written two to Lem & three to his mother & has not had a single letter up to this date.
Wood had a box on the road which ought to be here. He gave the contents to me before he died except a pair of boots which he wanted me to sell & send the money to his folks. I suppose there will be a little something in it to eat but not much. I believe there is to be a couple of shirts.
Some way or other it don’t seem as though I received many letters, but I don’t know, but I get as many as I write.
Tomorrow we are mustered for two months more pay, I hope we will soon get our 4 months pay. I intend to apply for a furlough during the summer.
The boys are all well as usual, they send love to you and Aunt S. Write soon & give me all the news.

I remain as ever your son,
W. G. Fisher