"Fourth letter to Martha Ann (Law) Clark, written about five weeks later:
Frederick Maryland
September 7, 1862
"Dear wife, I take my pen in hand to let you know I am well as common except for bad cold and march most to death. we are in Maryland and see hard times and we was in enormase batel. we was blest with His power. we lost not a captain. shells and graf shot fell in bursted and hit som few of our regiment but God blest us. I don’t know wether you will get this. if you do rite me as soon as you can and let me know how you and all the rest is.
"Miles and William Hunter is well. Mi dear wife I want you to pray for me. I hop I will se you agin. we are a long ways a part. I would rite ofner but when we stopt I am down. we march day and nite sometimes. sleep one hour and sometimes all knight. I put mi trust in you that I will se you agin. nothing mor. your affection husband. back your letter Richmon, car G. C. Hatley, fifth regiment.
Thomas J. Clark
On the back of this letter was written:
“have not hear from you since I left ___________. I have walked over more ded yankes than I ever want to do again.”
~~.~~
Letter written to Martha (Law) Clark, who lived in Hamilton County, Florida, by the woman in Shepherdstown, Virginia, who took care of and nursed Thomas J. Clark after he was wounded September 17, 1862 in the Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam) in Maryland during the Civil War. Thomas Clark died three weeks later, and Ellie Reutsch wrote Martha Clark to inform her of her husband’s death.
Shepherdstown, Virginia
November 14, 1862
Dear Mrs. Clark.
It becomes my painful duty to inform you of the death of your husband. He died in this town some two or three days ago.
He was wounded in the breast and leg in the battle of Maryland. I attended to him myself some two or three weeks before he died, and took him his meals. He told me to write and tell you that he was getting along very well and would try to get home as soon as he was able. He got worse afterwards and died. He says you must sell his cotton and pay his debts – pay his cousin, the first one – three hundred dollars that he owes him and do the best you can. I send you a lock of his hair which I cut for you. I sympathize with you very much in the loss of your husband, but he died in a glorious cause fighting for our country’s interests. If you want further particulars write to me and I will give them to you.
direct to
Ellie Reutsch
Shepherdstown
Jefferson County, Virginia
Again, Mr. Martin, now I have some important information to include in the story I am writing about him. Thank you, thank you, very much!