This letter, which William Velie wrote in 1864 from Fort Rosencrance in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, notes the heavy combat in the area. He mentions the ability to hear the cannon shots from Franklin, Tennessee and recognizes the presence of General Hood and the Confederate Army. Velie notes that 12,000 Confederate troops stopped in Murfreesboro on their way to Nashville. These troops tore up the railroad and laid siege to a blockhouse that was 5 miles from the fort. The Union Commander, General Melroy, sent a force out to deal with the Confederate problem: Our boys went out under command of General Melroy and made them skedaddle. This engagement proved to be a relatively light battle for the Union Army, but the letter mentions increased combat and fatalities. With the increase of Confederate troops, Melroy sent out a force of 5,000 men and succeeded in forcing a Confederate retreat and capturing 200 prisoners. Velie describes in detail the final moments of several members of his regiment following this skirmish and identifies them by name.

Aside from discussions of combat, Velie notes that if it were not for letters from the girls of the north he would not be able to remain in service. The letter is written to his cousin Mary in Minnesota, and thus makes casual conversation about his life in camp and various topics not related to combat.