Civil War Letter of Mather Family member, 1862

              La Fayette, Iowa
July 9th 62

Dear Mother & Mollie,
You heard of
Davy's death several days before we did, but
our feelings since we did hear, you can
only measure by your own. We only heard
of it two days before Father rec'd Mother's let-
ter stating that you had rec'd the sad intelli-
gence, and could not believe it then, until it
was confirmed by the boys from Ohio, on the next
day, who came by Corinth & Monterey and visited
his grave. It was as much a terrible surprise
to us as to you. I rec'd Mary's letter this even-
ing. You ask - and properly, too - why Davy was
left to die alone; i.e. amongst strangers. I
will tell you just how it happened. When
[?] S., Timmons and myself were ordered to
Monterey with the rest of the sick, Davy applied
for permission to go, partly because he felt un-
well, party because he thought it best that some-
one should go with the sick. When we arrived at
the Hospital he felt worse and continued to feel quite
unwell, but, while I remained there, did not become