May 30th, 1862

Gains Mills Va May 30  62

My Dear Mother

            I wrote you a little / note yesterday telling you that we / had got into a little fight.  But / I hadnt a chance to tell you much / then nor have I very much time / at present.  I wrote to you about / being appointed aid upon Col McQuade’s / staff.  I have been performing some / of the functions appertaining unto said / appointment but on (unknown) of not yet / being able to “skirmish” a horse / I was with the company the day / of the affair.  I have since / been at the Brigade head quarters, / But have not yet got a horse / but hope to have one and all the rigging soon. /

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Direct my letters to the Reg. as heretofore

Our regiment was very fortunate / and only had 7 men wounded & / none Killed.  The chivalry fought / very hard for a while, but ran / at last and left the road strewn / with Knapsacks & every thing in the way / of soldiers rigging. our men when / we were going in threw away most / of their blankets, but afterwards / loaded themselves with all sorts of / secesh traps, My only relic was a / package of secesh envelopes in one of / which I will enclose this letter. when /  I wrote to you near Hanover I didn’t know / when we would get back here but / we got marching orders afterwards & / came back getting here about 12 oclock / last night.  Send This to Mag & Give / my love to Mary Jane Sis, & Smith / And all the friends, Gus