A good Union soldier's letter, 3pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Frederick S. Churchill, Co. E, 18th Mass. Vols., [KIA 2nd Bull Run, Va., Aug. 30, 62], Halls Hill, [Va.], Jan. 12, 1862, in part: "…last night one of Co. G's men died. The funeral takes place today. A week ago…one of Co. A's men shot himself & while we were on picket…another one shot away his middle finger…to complete the list of accidents one of our boys…cut off 4 toes from his right foot…his name is Joe Soule. Just as we had got used to the French uniform we have got another one the regulation cap, cat, pants which is to be worn. The French laid aside…there has been very heavy firing down on the Potomac…most every Rgt has an ambrotype saloon…some of them are quite good but most of them are quacks. I haven't had any of them yet…it don't look much like war…we all strip and turn in at night…we have plenty of clothes, 2 over coats, 1 large cape, 4 prs. of pants…Capt. McFarland arrived yesterday…he brought some rather old boys for soldiers. They walked from Washington & had a train to bring their things..your son, Fred…". VG