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

Dear Mother,

I had the unspeakable pleasure of receiving a letter from you last night, which was the first I had received since you had heard from the battle. I suppose from the time you heard that we were fighting till you got the particulars you were pretty anxious. I have nothing of a military character to write this time so I will devote the most of my time & space to domestic questions.
In the first place, have you ever got my money at the bank yet or not? You never have written me if you have. You asked me some questions which I thought I had answered long ago.
In the 2nd place I wish to explain to you about that watch which caused you those hard feelings. I bought the watch of Ira King. He sent it home by Mr. Gordon to get it fixed when he went home on his furlough. After he got it back I bought it of him, as I knew it was a good watch, but he got a lot of fine tobacco in the works, which, of course, stopped it. So I sent it home by Jim to have it fixed & I would not say anything to you about it till I saw whether it ran or not, for if it did not I would sell it & not tell you I had been engaged in the old watch trade again, but I don’t wish you to think I was afraid to let you know I had one, for I actually need one, for I have to borrow one when I am sergeant of the guard (he has to regulate the time of the reliefs) & besides I had paid for it with my spending money. So now you see the reason I have not asked the favor of you, but now I have asked the favor of you to send it by Jack Skellie. I have got my mind made up to get it when he comes & shall be disappointed if I don’t get it when he comes.
Did John come home the time you expected him? Do you think I had better come home next fall on a furlough if I can get one?
You asked if I got my lost boots. I thought I had written long ago that I did & they fitted me. About Mrs. Wood’s boot money, she was owing Ab & she wrote to him to take the money.
If Skellie don’t bring the shirts I spoke to you about you may send them by any chance you have.
Lots of love to Aunt L. and Sarah, J.’s folks & all the rest.

I am, as ever dear Mother, your own boy,
Will