Four inked manuscript pages on folded letter sheet, 6 5/8 x 8", headed Harrisons Landing July 12th 1862. Tells his friend of the death of his friends brother who were both in 9th Pa. Reserve Infantry Regiment. Reads in part: I will with pleasure give you all the information in my power relative to your dear brother Don. The battle in which he fell took place as you are aware on Monday June 30th. Our regt. and seven companies of the 1st Regt. were ordered to support Capt. Coopers Batteries this we did until the Rebels made an attempt to out flank us on the left...During this part of the engagement I saw Don often acting with his usual coolness and bravery, in the battle of Thursday and Friday previous Don was always in front and spoke of the contempt he had for a few men who skulked off when we came to meet the enemy face to face. We had left our position at the rear of the batteries but had a short time when the Rebels made a bold dash, regardless of the grape and cannister our men were pouring at them, drove th Regt. back that was supporting the batteries and captured our guns. In the mean time our regt. filed around in the woods to the rear of our guns. We were ordered to prepare to make a charge. Soon as the men got into position we gave a loud cheer and started fat as the nature of th ground would admit. We went steadily on through the open field driving the rebels before us at the same time recapturing our guns. I can assure you, my dear friend, that was a moment of excitement. We followed up this ne success, continued to drive them off the open field and partly through the woods: at the edge of this woods our first Lieut. James P. Beatty fell gallantly leading his men. As this stage of the fight the rebels came in on our right large numbers, so it was necessary for us to fall back or we would be surrounded. As we retired back firing, I met with Don in the road near where the right of our Regt. rested; before the engagement commenced. He smiled in his usual pleasant way. I was busy firing and did not stop to speak. At this time our Regt. was in disorder every one firing on his own hook: We fell back in the woods. Don lingered a little longer than the rest, continuing to fire at the rebels. I had no idea of his being injured having seen him so late in the day. It was a sad thing for us all in out company as we gathered in one by one each man silently shook hands: very few words were spoken. At length some one came and told me that poor Don was killed. I scarcely believe it...From what I can learn from one of our boys who was near him when he fell he was shot in the heart.... Signed Remain very truly your friend W.Y. Wallace. Condition normal folds, VG.