Near Sharpsburg. Sept. 17th
1862.
On the field

Dear Mother,

It is a misty
moisty morning. We are
engaging the enemy and
are drawn up in support
of Hooker who is now banging
away most briskly. I write
in the saddle to send you
my love and to say that
I am very well so far --

Dearest mother,
I am wounded so as to
be helpless. Good bye
if so it must be

I think I die in
victory. God defend our
country. I trust in
God & love you all
to the last

Dearest love to father &
all my dear brothers.

Our troops have left
the part of the field
where I lay --

Mother, yrs
Wilder

All is well with
those that have
faith