Centerville Va

June the 21 1861

 

Deare Pa

 

                                                I have written to you Sister & Ma but have not yet received an ansur I hope it will not be long before I will get some newes from home. You have no idea how I want to heare from that plase. if I only can get my letters home to you all I will be satisfied. Pa we have moved from Manassas to this plase I suppose it is some seven miles above manassas and five miles from farfax C.H it is a fine camp it is one of the finest plases that we ever have encamped yet. It is in the woodes right on the big road that leades to the Court house it is as fine timber as I ever saw I would like to go to Alexandrie to see what old Abe is doing I know he is sceard nearley to death when one 1000 men can whip 4000 I know he is not much. Old Greg is in three miles of the enimies line they looked / for an attacked last night that is Greg did but he did not meet with such good luck he Greg is anctious for Abe to attact him for his time is soon out and I think his men will all go home then for they dont like him atall and theirefore I think he is trying to get a fight on handes so they cannot go. Sum of old Greges men took two of Abes men night before last one man took two men that showes old Abes men wont fight for when this man went up to them he drawed down his gun and they came up to him and laid down their gunes at his feet so he took them to the camp of Greg and he sent them down to manassas. one man took two at manassas about the same time I think if the South Carolina boyes stay heare long we will have all of Abes men taken prisoners an then we will go home I was on picket guard yesterday & last night we went about three miles from camp / but did not cetch any bodie it somewhat dangrous but we stood it finely none was sceared any the least Hester was officer of the guard [two lines stricken] but I dont know I know I was not I dont no more feel like the enemy was any nier than at camp Butler but we are nearer for we are not more than ten miles from the line of Old Abe's forses. Pa their was one of the best fights that has ever bin fought in the wourld over in the mountains two men drove back seven hundred men just the two they killed seven men neither one of the two was hurt was that not remakble several more wa wounded I would like to have bin their to helped them two men I know I could have killed some of Abes men. A nother battle took plase at Cloud's Mills Old Greg commanded the gunes of Artilery and we killed something over two hundred of Abes men that is the way to slay them / we had only two pieces they had sevral but did not play upon us you may know what they are sevral was wounded we cant tell how many yet none of ours hurt is that not strange I think it is. that is some 10 miles from heare. they thought they would slip upon us an we not know it but they missed it by a long shot. We will march on Alexandrie in a fiew dayes I think but cant tell what we will do we are packed up ready now to march some whare but I cant say wheare Pa time is runing short so I must close Give my love to all write soon direct your leters to manassas Junction in the care of Thomas Bacon commaning 7 Reg S.C.V company D

 

Your Son for ever

                        J T. Baskin

 

P.S. we are all well enjoying

fine health & fine spirets

all the mess join with me in

sending love to you & all

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