“Our Division is pretty well used up and very much reduced in numbers, a great many men were lost by
sickness etc. previous to the battle of bull run by unceasing marching and countermarching night and day
(Thanks to Generals Pope and McDowell) at the battle of Bull Run we lost a great many men, so that when
we went into the right the other day we had but 3158 men and lost in killed and wounded 1078.

Our men behaved exceedingly well as the number of killed and wounded shows.  We were on the right
under General Hooker who commanded that wing and opened the battle early in the morning.

As far as I can learn the loss of the enemy was very heavy and far exceeded ours, perfect lines
 or their dead were left on the field where they were mowed down by our artillery and infantry,
a great many of their wounded were left on the field and in their hospitals.

It was a most sickening and horrid sight and the stench awful.

The artillery of the Rebels was well used and had our range perfectly,
and as we advanced the shower of shot and shell was terrific.

Our loss in officers both field and line was heavy, several of the companies
have not a commissioned officer left.

General Ricketts had his horse shot under him but fortunately escaped any injury himself. 
John Williams also escaped any injury and behaved with a  great deal of gallantry.

What our future movements are to be it is impossible to tell, the enemy are reported to
 be on the other of the river and reinforced by Johnson with 50,000, and one brigade
of ours with a battery of artillery has gone up to damn no 4 about four miles
from here to guard against any attempt to theirs to cross again."