On the Battlefield
                                               Near Big Shanty, Tenn. (?)
                                               June 29, 1864
     
Mr. John Moss and Family 
    Sir, I sit down this morning to pen you the sad inteligence of the death of
Sanford C. Moss.  He was wounded in a fight on the 15th of June, seven miles north
 of Marietta and was sent to the rear, to the hospital on the 16th, died on the
 25th. When he receive his wounds we were laying in the edge of a swamp. I was near
 him at the time he was struck on the point of his left shoulder with a musket ball
 sinking deep into his shoulder The ball could not be found till after his death. 
It had lodged deep inside his shoulder blade. He endured his wounds with all the 
fortitude a man could although quite young and a new soldier, was brave, cool, 
and Deliberate on the battle field. Mild and agreeable in camp, was loved by all 
who knew him, Alas he has fallen and is numbered with the many brave that have fell
 since this cussid rebellion broke out. We mourn his loss and sympathise with his 
berieved friends.  It is hard for friends to part but it must be a great consolation
 to you to think that Sanford fell on the battlefield battling for his country, 
fighting for that flag that was so dearly bought by our forefathers and now trampled 
upon by rebels. What a satisfaction it must be to be parents, brothers, sisters, and 
loved ones to think they have friends in the army to maintain this nation once happy 
but now in arms.   Will C. Moss called to see me this morning. He says he don't think
 it is advisable for you to undertake to move his body home at present. I did not 
suppose it was a mortal wound or I would have sent for his brother and after he was
 sent to the hospital I did not know where to find him. If there is any other 
information I can give you in regard to him write me and I will do so with pleasure. 
Below I send a copy of his death from the Surgeon in charge.
 
  

                                                     Headquarters Field Hospital

                                                     15th Army Corps
 
                                                     Barton Iron Works
  
                                                     June 27, 1864
 
    Commanding Officer Co. H, 3rd Ohio Calvary
 
    
Dear Sir, I have the honor to notify you that Sanford C. Moss, Private Ca. H, 3rd O.V.C.
died in this hospital on the 25th day of June, 1864 of gun shot wound in the
 left shoulder.
 
    
                                                       Very Respectfully yours
    

                                                    A. Goslin, Surgeon 48th Illinois
   
                                                    Hospital, 15th A.C.
 
    

                                                    Respectfully yours in haste,
    

                                      Francis P. Gates Capt.   Co. H, 3rd O.V.C.