Copy of a letter written by possibly Mary Catherine Cripliver. Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa May 20, 1863 Dear Friends, It is with a sad heart that I try to write to you but Betsey has prepared you for what I shall write. I shall try to give you all the particulars of Wes's death as far as I know. I hardly know where to commence. It seems as if I was just awakened from a dream. Monday and Tuesday seems well I can't express my feelings so I shall not try. Ever since Wes has been at St. Louis, he wrote home he had his usual health but I could see by his letters he was very weak. He never wrote that he wanted to come home until the 20th of this month, and then he told me that he would like for pap to come after him as he wanted to come home and the doctor said he was not able to travel alone. The letter was four days on the way. We got it on Thursday evening and the next morning pap started for St. Louis, but when he got to Clinton, he heard that Wes had come to Muscatine. He came home expencting to see Wes here when he arrived, but you may well know we were all very much disappointed. Sunday pap started again and got to St. Louis Wednesday noon, where he found Wes very low, but contented he was sensible till within about four hours of his death. Asked about the folks at home and other things and said he had got a letter from you a few day ago. Pap told him that all the girls had got to be school teachers. He smiled and said it would do him no good for he would never see them. He told pap he never expected to get home when he came to St. Louis. The clerk told pap that they wanted him to write for someone to come after him two weeks before he died, and at last they told him if he did not write, they would. So, he wrote but alas it was too late. If only he could have got home alive I could stand it better. I think sometimes it can't be possible, yet it's too true. They got home about 10 o'clock Monday, then sent for me. Got home about 5 in the evening. He was opened before I got home and he was not a bit bloated, but when I saw him, his face was very much bloated and the blood and froth was running out of his mouth and nose. He did not look natural at all. his coffin cost ___ dollars. It was air-tight and had a glass over the face. It was a splendid one. Had on a soldiers uniform buttoned up in front with flannel shirt and white collar on. He was opened all morning till they started for the burial ground. It seemed as thought I could not leave the coffin till it was closed forever. Then it seemed as if my heart would break. He was buried beside Elmer. How I wish you could have been here. My eyes are so dim that I can hardly see the desk and words. Told pap they thought more of Wes than any other soldier in the hospital. He was so patient and never complained. Every boy in Company B was his friend and would have fought for him till the last minute.