Camp at Bethesda, Chatham county, GA., May 7, 1862


Dear Son,

I this morning take my pen in hand to inform you that I am in the enjoyment of good health, hoping that this may come to hand and find you all well. I received your letter yesterday and was glad to heair from you. You stated that the Measles was in the family but it seem to be very mild and I hope that is do you butt little harm. I have nothing of much importance to write. All seems to be quiet heair. Now we heair but little from the yankees now. Some of the men that was taken at Fourt Pulaski has wrote back to their famileys and state that they are near New York and is well treated.
The health of our company is not very good at present but is improving some. Three of the boys is in Augusta, Wm. Young, Mark Merritt and Samuel Nasworth and tow in Savannah, Mark Pridgen and Henry Cobb, and Daniel Henderson, Jasper Tucker and Francis Chandler and S.W. Shea is in the Hospital at this place. We have lost two men since I come back, James Horton and Wm. Y. Purvis. I think all of our men is some on the mend. At present we are in want of some recruits in our Company and I suppose that we soon will get them. The conscription Act will send them out some whair as recruits until all the company is full. And sends home all over 35 years of age after 90 days.
I hope in that time we can all come home and be at peace yet it is verry uncertain when we shall have peace. I think most of the men in the servis that is over 35 years of age will go home. As to myself, my county is as deair to me as if I was but 21 and I feel as much determine to defend it as I ever did even if it is at the point of a bayonet or at the mouth of a cannon. If I die in camps or in the battle field I shall die in a noble cause. We have just now come in from Company Drill and we had only 18 men rank and file on drill. Some sick, some on guard, some waiting on the sick, some complaining of their armes whair they have been vaccinationed. We all have been vaccinated. Tell all the men that has to go into sevise that we want recruits to come to the cowboys and will gladly receive them and the sooner the better. So I come to the close by requeting you all to pray for me and the cause of liberty.
So nothing more at present but remaine your loving father until death.
William D. Ross to James A. Ross.
My son be wise and make my heart glad that I may answer him that reproacheth me. Proverbs the XXVl1 Ch. and 11 verse.

Note: William Daniel Ross died at Camp Winder Hospital in Richmond, Va on Aug. 8, 1862 age 40.Letter from William Daniel Ross to his son James A. Ross