This is what I was able to figure out:
That he thought that it was __ a flesh wound and that he thought that he ___ get a __ laugh or the account of it but says he I seen friend I was bad (?) __ for I ____ any where he said ___________ he said that __________ he said __ even one _______ close _____ but he could not get to ____ he said _______ gave him some water ___ that evening and ___ the next ______ come a little Boy a long over the Battle field the little boy gave him some cracker __________ he said to me ______?Oh says he if I only could see my wife and little children once more I would be so glad and the tears would run out of his eyes I asked him if he wanted to say any thing to me I told him I knew he would but he moaned and did not seem like he wanted to talk any I then asked him if he was willing to die and he said he was perfectly willing to die at that time he was calm and sensible as much so as any one I ever saw so never (?) dieth (?) he met his death willingly ___ is much so as any one I have seen die in a long time for I sit over him and watched him Breathe his last Breath.. if he said any special word to __ about you and the Children __ than the wanted to see you and if any thing I don’t Know what is was.. Never you have lost a good husband and he felt like a Brother to me for we never had crop (?) word at no time before the war nor after we went in the Army so I will close these (?) few lines gave my respects to all and ___ the same.
J.R. Berry