I woke up in a rowboat with a makeshift sail stitched of gray uniform fabric. The Major is unconscious. The Captain is dead. The war is over, but tell that to the Yankee’s that are still takin shots at us from the other side of the Salkehatchie River.
The Major got shot in the leg just below the knee and the Captain got hit in the head. I am as yet unscathed.

The battle that brung us to this rickety rowboat lasted bout an hour, our men showed great coolness and courage under fire.
Our troops withstood a barrage of enemy fire and we fled the CSS Virginia as quick as possible.

I write this message to you good Sir, in fervent hope that I may deliver it to you by my own hand. But if this letter should get to you by other means, know that I died in duty to my beloved Confederacy.

They fire upon us still, I lie low under the shade of Capt. Sheldrake’s uniform, as the damn Yankees keep firing upon us. I shall fear not for God is with me.

Truly your brother,
Corporal Otis C. Riverdale