Fort Dounelson Feb 21st 1862 Dear Eliza and Children  This is the first oppertunity I have  to write to you Since we came here/  I can say after all the exposure  we had in the last week I am well  and I hope this may find you the  same/ we had a very hard time of  it in the last week lying out in  the woots for 4 days and 3 nights  without any Shelter in rain and  Snow and mud up to our knees/  No one can disscribe the horrers of  this battle fied withe the pen/  The Dead and wounted lying around for  6 or 7 miles by hunderts / I went  thrue the town of Dover wich is  in the fort day before yesterday and  went in some 20 or 30 houses and  found in every one of them Dead or  wounted and lags and arms lying  
        round in the streets and dogs knoing  on them/ the seash are very sory  thay have bin caut in this Snap/  I have heard a good meny say that  thay would join us if we wood  let them/ I think the next time you  will here from me we will be some  where alce for thair will be a forward  mouveme somwhere in a day or two  but where I know not/ I am writing  this letter on a fine desk I captured  in Town and brout it to our tent  for the Col Pease to write/  when  we want any thing and can find  it all we have to doo is to take it/  it aught to be a terrer to the sesesh  to see us come but I hop we will  not have to go much further before  thair will be a settlement made/  I will send a knife home which  I captured of wich thay most all  have to cary to kill us with but  thay dit them not much good/   you can get more information  from Mrs. Pease of the battle from  Col Peases letters and from Logan/   when I first saw him I had just  got up in the morning to get  breckfest and he eat brechfast  with us/ you may beleafe me I  was glad to see him here  I dont know nothing more to write  at pressent only my prayer is  that if it the will of God we  may all meet in that social  family sircle once mor and  praise him for his kind care  after us and that we may live  more for him then before and  tell the children that thay must  obay you and be good and obedient/  no more at pressent/ your  affectionate Husband J. G. Burggraf