since you left, but I
am going to hope that you are getting well right along. All
the boys think of you and Shorty, and send their love and
their hopes that you will soon be back with us. We all miss
you very much.

"I have some good news for you and Shorty. On my
recommendation the Colonel has issued a special order
promoting you Sergeant and Shorty Corporal, for gallant and
meritorious services at the battle of Chickamauga, in which
you captured a rebel flag. The order was read on parade this
evening. So it is Sergeant Klegg and Corporal Elliott
hereafter, and they will be obeyed and respected
accordingly. You will take poor Pettibone's place, and
Elliott will take Harney's.

"I do not know where Elliott is, but expect that he is with
you. If so, give him the news, and also the inclosed letter,
which came to me. If not, and you know where he is, write
him.

"Write me as soon as you can. We are all getting along very
well, especially since Grant came up and opened our cracker
line. My little hurt is healing nicely, so that I can go
about with a cane. We are all getting ready to jump old
Bragg on Mission Ridge, and I am going to do my best to go
along at the head of Co. Q, though I have been Acting Major
and Lieutenant-Colonel since I got up.

"Regards to your father, and believe me, sincerely your
friend,

"J. T. MCGILLICUDDY,

"Captain, Co. Q, 200th Ind. Inf. Vols."

Maria passed the letter over to Si to read again, and without more ado
opened the inclosure. As she did so, a glance of recognition of the
handwriting flashed upon Shorty, and he started to take the letter from
her, but felt ashamed to do so.

"Why, this is from a woman," said Maria, "and she writes an awful bad,
scratchy hand." Being a woman's letter she was bound to read it without
loss of time, and she did so:

"Bad Ax, Wis., Nov. 10.

"Capt. McGillicuddy.

"Dear Sir: I believe you command the company, as they call
it, in which there was a gentleman named Mr. Elliott. The
papers reports that he was kild at thfe battle of
Chickamaugy. I had some correspondence with him, and I sent
him my picture.

Would you kindly write me the particklers of his death, and
also what was done with sich letters and other things that
he had? I would very much like to ha