May 29^th /62.

Within 9 miles of Richmond

 

Sister Lizzie—

                        This morning I received your letter of the 21^st and as usual it found me in good health; indeed I have been blessed by kind Providence above many of my comrades in respect to health. I am still able for my "grubb" and also to keep with the regt. Do not let your "hot blood" rise too high about school matters but bear in mind that you and I are doomed to disappointment and that what is called "luck" by some is not always best at least for us. You can get along without a school yet I would like you to teach, for it is a profession which gives the better chance of studying human nature and of seeing different characters than any other. As to Bob Glenn: his conduct towards you is nothing more than I would expect of him: witness the way he used Tim when he tried to get Pine run school 

 

Fort Darling on the James river is now in our hands and Richmond must fall ere many days. Banks has fallen back but that is strategy I believe. Night before last I guarded the house of a secesh grass widow and she made me a fine supper & breakfast, for which I gave her a dollar, and she wanted to know if all our boys paid for what they eat as I did. I told her yes, always. She said that the Georgia soldiers took her two pigs and her coffee pot & skillet and asked no questions and did not give her a cent. I told her that was not our style. If I live to get home I'll be able to entertain you with some fine jokes about soldier-life. Our regt is out on picket to-day but the line is quiet enough to allow me to write. Poor Aaron Degarmo died at Yorktown hospital of Typhoid fever. The "sergeants" have not arrived as yet. Wonder if they will 

 

Cy Howe & B. F. Woods came here day before yesterday. B. F. is in our Co & Cy in Co E "bully for that!" Mamma should not keep her self uneasy or fret about me. I'll be home some of these days and I hope it will be all right then.

 

            I guess John Snyder wrote Sarah a letter but a few days ago. I wrote Sarah one from Pamunkey river at the landing but I do not mind what date it was. Tell Stewart not to give letters directed to you or Sarah to any other than our own folks. Our division (Gen Kearnie's) is now in the rear and I think it is where we ought to be for we built the siege works against Yorktown and were in the front at Williamsburg so it comes the turn of our division to take the rear into Richmond. Our brigade was the first to enter Williamsburg and although I would like to be first / into Richmond I am glad that all the work will not be just onto us for we have done our share

 

Josh & John Snyder are well and send their respects to the folks of M^t Pleasant.

 

            Give my respects to all the Sabbath school folks and tell M^r Albin I hope to go to sabbath school there at M^t P before fall comes

 

            Jimmie, tell the path-master to mark my road tax paid I worked it out at Yorktown!!

                                                                                   

No more your

brother Joe

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