Letter is dated April 5, 1865. This contains a narrative about battle experiences and the latest happenings of the armies.

Letter has fold marks and has yellowed with age, but is in pristine condition. Text is written in ink on lined paper. At the top left corner of first page of letter is a watermark of an embossed wreath with the name of the paper mill. Measures 10” x 8”.

Text reads:

Point of Rocks Hospital VA Evening April 5^th 1865.

“Victory” God be thankful for it.

My Dear Mother,

I received your very welcome letter today enclosing a “V” and right glad am I to hear you are so much better and I earnestly hope you may go on improving and be speedily restored to perfect good health. I am very grateful to you for attending so promptly to my request. I think by the next muster the mistake in the Roll will be rectified and when I again see the Paymaster he will pay me without any demur whatever.

I expect you have got the good news ere this that Richmond and Petersburg are now occupied by the Union Army or at least a portion of it while the remainder is off after “Lee”. James knows by this time that defeat is impossible to the Union Army with Grant, Sherman and Sheridan to lead. Although last Saturday week the Rebs broke our lines and captured one Fort but they paid dearly for their tenacity they only held it a short time and then a few of the Johnnies got back to their own lives. There was a terrible fight in that Fort that day the One years men fought with valor and ardor of Veterans and then on Wednesday night March 29^th the fight commenced which resulted in the Capture of the Rebs strongholds. I never heard such Commanding in my life the very air seemed to shake with the concussion and then one could see the Shot and Shell flying through the air and oftentimes bursting in the air like magnified fire from one side to other. I trust I may never witness such another sight one is enough for all a lifetime it beat the 30^th of July all follow. There are various rumors in circulation in regard to “Lee’s” whereabouts but I guess he will turn up missing. Give my regards to Kate Ferry and say I am very much pleased to have received a letter from her and certainly shall answer it. Give my Love to all the Family James and family included tell James not to be alarmed about “Lee” breaking through “Grant’s” fingers. It is reported here that “Sheridan” entered the front door of “Lee’s” He. Quarters while the latter made a hasty exit at the rear door.

Good Night God bless you

I still remain your Affectionate Son

William M. Cooper

William M. Cooper enlisted on February 13, 1864 as a Private and was mustered into Co. “M”, 2^nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery. He was mustered out on January 29, 1865 at City Point, Virginia.

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