A sad Union soldier's battle letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Edmund F. Churchill, Co. E, 18th Mass. Vols., "In Camp", Sept. 8, 1862 concerning sad news of his brother's (Pvt. Fred Churchill, 18th Mass. who turns up killed in action) wounding and disappearance during the battle of 2nd Bull Run, in part: "…I suppose you have heard all about the battle at Centreville…we heard the firing plainly…our regiment was in it and some of the companies suffered severely, ours in particular…we had five killed outright…the following were killed or wounded. Fred was probably taken prisoner or he was seen to fall wounded as the company was falling back. I have made inquires of those who were with him but no one knows how badly or were he was hurt. All think he is a prisoner and not very badly wounded…he fell when retreating under a heavy fire…we all hope to hear from him soon…he will probably be paroled or exchanged…Rufus Wright was shot in the ear and is probably in some hospital…John Jordan was badly wounded in the side and may not live. He is in hospital in Washington or Alexandria. One of the Robins boys…was killed and the other wounded. In company C Josiah Ripley was wounded and taken off the field…I went over to the 32nd [Mass. and] saw Thed[Theodore P. Churchill.] He is well and tough…as are all the boys in that Reg. They have marched 200 miles in the last 3 weeks. They marched 70 miles on the Peninsular in 5 days…yours in leave, Ed F. Churchill." The original stamped transmittal cover, with rare one-cent Ben Franklin stamp usage and postage "paid" cancelation mark. Plus the original docketing envelope are included. VG.