Capt. George Wooding
Sheppardtown, VA Sept. 18, 1862

"Dear Pa

On yesterday a desperate battle took place at Sharpsboro(sic) Maryland,
a few miles from this place, on the opposite side of the river,
between Gen'L. Lee and McClellan, no material advantage was gained by
either side.

 The enemy made the attack but failed to drive us from our position.
Gen'L. Jackson commanded on the left of our line and drove back the
enemy's right, several miles. My battery fixed the first gun and was
engaged during nearly the entire fight. I suffered considerably.
William Keesee was mortally wounded, and will doubtless die before
this reaches you. The loss on both sides was immense. Both armies
are still drawn up on line of battle. My casualties are these:
Killed: Corpl John H. Wells. Wounded: Sergts Geo. W. Keesee mortally,
Watson R. Anglea Severely, Corpls Peyton C. Keesse and Jas. O. Doss
slightly, Privates Mansfield Crawley severly, John J. Crawley
painfully, Thomas Williams painfully, Thos. Wimsey slightly, 
Joseph H. Harris Slightly, John W. Johnson slightly, Thomas Royster
slightly. Total 12. Those men whose wounds require it, will
doubtless be allowed to go home as soon as practicable.
I was struck by several spent balls but not injured.

Keesee received the only wound which will probably be fatal.
His left arm was shattered by a shell, a piece of which entered his
breast.

Give my love to all the family...
Yours .. Geo Wooding" 

Sept. 23, 1862, Wooding wrote his father from Martinsburg, Va.

"...Sergt. William Keesee wounded at Sharpsburg has since died. He was
left in a hospital on the Maryland side of the river, in the charge of
his brother Peyton, I have not heard yet what disposition was made of
his body."


Oct. 1862

"... Mr. Shelton of Rinngold reached my camp last evening. He came for
William Keesee's body, which I see no probability of his getting. He
will doubtless leave for home (Pittsylvania County) in a day or two."