William O. Holmes to Father, September 7, 1864

[page 1] Gen Sheridan Head Quarters Near Berryville Sept. 7, 1864

Dear Father,

I received a letter from you about ten minutes ago, and as I think there is some prospect of a move to- morrow. I will answer it amidently We moved out here Saturday night. The army moved early in the morning We kept up communication with Md Heights untill night then came on. It has rained nearly all the time since untill to day. We got rather damp but that does not hurt a Soldier I lay in the water one night but slept well. I just learned from Gary Leash who belongs to the Corps. that Dennis Dashinor is wounded in the foot the ball passed in at the heel and out

[page 2] near the instep. I believe He was wounded in the fight at Berryville Saturday evening. Dennis is one of the best soldiers that I know, and he has been soldiering to. He has been with the 1st KY Battery a while but was with his Regt. at the time he was wounded having been sent back when we went up to Strasburge the last time. You had better let his folks know as I do not think he will. He is probably in the Hospital at Harpers Ferry. I had about come to the conclusion that no one wrote to me. But your two letters have incourerged me. I have received no letters from Lean yet however. I thought we would be payed before this time, but there is not as much prospect now as there was a few days ago.

[page 3] We are to receive about a hundred and ninety dollars when it does come. Sept. 8th It does not look as though we were to move to day. I wish Father you could be here one evening, you would think beadlam had broken loose. The Head Quarter bands, the Drum Corps, the shouts and laughter of the Soldiers make quite a rackett us Soldiers are a jolley set generley when we have rations.

There is seventy Signal men to sent back to Camp Georgetown I suppose if I was to figure around a little I could get back to, but I had rather rough it at the front. Deliver me from being a Dead Beat. We have had to many Signal men in this Department all summer and those who have not been

[page 4] on stations have been an expense to the Government and a Bone to us. Gen Sheridan seems to go shure as far as he goes, we are well fortified here. I do not see why it is that Moesby is allowed to be always slashing around in our rear. But I must close, Give my love to Lean if you see her, and all of the Family.

Your Son Wm. O. Holmes

P.S. Gen Crooks command is moving out toward Bunker Hill It is raining again like shot the boys stand around in it as though it was not wet, if we was home we would catch our death cold, but does not it does not hurt us here. The mail came in to day no letters from Lean.

W. O. H.