Here is the transcription from the original. My friend who has these is a direct descendant of Jonathan Callaway. Reference to black soldier is towards the end. His name was Peter....often refered to as Peet by Callaway.

Camp near Springfield Mo Augt 11th for

Mr J H Thomas

Dear Sir

Yesterday morning the enemy commenced firing on our camps. They completely surrounded us during the night. They killed a man of our mess before we got into line as they did afterwards. Their force was about ten thousand. Ours was about the same yet not more than six thousand of ours operated. They had twelve pieces of artillery. We had the same number but ours was small pieces. We captured six pieces of theirs on the field, 24 pounders. Woodruff’s Battery did the execution, things looked gloomy at sunrise but by one oclock the field was clear of living dutchmen. About 2500 of the enemy were killed. We fought the Regulars and 2000 Kansas troops. Our company was the only one that suffered in the charge although it was the fifth Co. It was the first Co formed on the hill and the only one that did form. We partially formed with (in) 100 yd of the enemy. At that time a regiment was between us and them but it fell back charging over our 2nd platoon of which I had command. This caused great confusion in our ranks. The first platoon shot about four rounds doing good execution. As the enemy had advanced within fifty paces Tom Spence gave the order buckshot at that distance. He urged them up to charge which was executed by the company from one to another but when I found our company alone, I ceased to command to charge. We lost George Flanagin and John G. Malone. They were killed dead upon the field. A. R. White of our Co will die tonight. 10 others are wounded of whom Mr Kingsbury can inform you. I did not get touched and did not fire a gun. I got behind a tree to look for a Dutchman but lo, they had gone. The second platoon could have fired but we were told that we were mistaken that we would shoot our friends. The first platoon was nearer and could distinguish the uniforms. Our boys would have fought desperately if they had had the chance. [A list] of them who [and] have a showing made good are T. F. Spence, Henry Waldrop, J McDaniel, Wm Thompson, D. McCallum, B???? gave them a heavy fire. Our wounded are J. C. Ridgeway shot through the knee, Geo H. Andrews shot near the eye, Hiram Johnson (who shot ????at them will ??) shot through back hand, A. D. Trapp shot through the thigh, A. R White shot through the lung, W. F. Holder shot through the arm, John Holder shot in the foot, Tom Spence shot glancing the right hand. I would give you the details of the whole affair at some future time. Our regiment never formed at all. The battle lasted six or seven hours. The whole valley is a styench with dead carcasses. Our company got a peep at the dead [unreadable] Gen Lyons and horse were both killed dead. Only about one half of our Co are now fit for service. I keep well and hearty. We go to Springfield or might [word missing] will then march on St. Louis or return to the border of Ark. Sam rec’d a slight wound. Hop was untouched, Wm Wilson was killed dead. ¼ of Churchill’s reg[iment] were killed and wounded. One of our companies lost 5 killed and 5 wounded in a fight each in the morning before the battle had fairly begun but after the ball opened our company was the only sufferer in our Reg. We have sent a detachment ahead. We learn that the Confederate flag floats from the court house in Springfield. The enemy attacked us eight miles south of Springfield. The battle was dreadful one brief but desperate. Martin Cole’s negro killed two dutchmen and got a good gun. We took enough guns to arm us well. Wm got a dozen. I will write to you again and to others within about five days. You can tell the people the news. We have a good many prisoners. Lt. Weaver of the Little Rock artillery was killed. The Reg done good service. The Missouri secessionists Fought with desperation. I Pronounce Gen McCulloch as I did before leaving home, no officer. He let the enemy surround us within sight of our camp on four sides, who fired on us before we all had waked up. The victory is a miracle. Nothing but undaunted courage could have achieved the victory for us, aside from providential interference. We are about ready to start to Springfield.

Yours Truly

Jonathan Calloway