Camp near Harrisons landing, Va

July 19^th 1862          

  

My dear wife

                        I received yesterday your & Clara's letter of July 12 and 15. I enjoyed Clara's description of her 4^th July exceedingly—I could almost see how things looked, and am glad that she enjoyed herself. I must write to her today if possible. But to reply to yours.

 

            I imagine that you may [scratched out]. I like him and so do you & probably you and I always will.

 

            I dont think that the army will move from here before a month at least. I doubt some of it can move forward.

 

            As to your summer I would not advise you going to the Great Anawan but to Mrs Phillips or the little Anawan. You had best get comfortable rooms and pay what is necessary for six or seven weeks. It is better that all hands should go—not Clara alone. Mr Cobb says that Mrs Phillips will charge you 25$ and probably take 20$ and pretty much so at the Little Anawan. Get good pleasant rooms and pay 30$ if necessary and ride every other day if possible. I want to find you all well when I come / home. The carriage had best be sold and the money absorbed by you. It cant bring more than 40$ or so. Get money from the store and pay all bills—owe as little as possible to any body. I enclose a check of Mr Hoyts for 20$ which will help.

 

            I will write about Frank's school about the time of his vacation but Clara if she likes had best go to Mr Williams for another year. There was no especial agreement about price with Mr W.

 

            There are some ladies about the hospitals but I should not want any friend of mine (a lady) to show her head here.

 

            Mr Cobb is becoming perfectly gorgeous in his personal appearance—he fats up at the rate of a pound a day. Charges at the mess table as though rations were enemies and on the whole I think stands the racket as well as any body in camp. Of course he disputes all possible things that nobody else could & argues against all argument but that does him good. He is one of the best fellows in the world and I should be horribly lonesome without him.

 

            Mrs Watriss fate is indeed a hard one, assure her of my sympathy.

 

            I wont want those shirts just yet but as they will probably keep suppose that you pay for them and keep them a collateral security. When I do come home I intend to be a dandy for a time so save up all the bright colored ribbons &c. 

 

            Yesterday I saw Gen Seth Williams he seems to be very well indeed but very despondent about the war. Most people here dont care much any way. They are cannonading daily above and below us but it is mighty quiet in our diggings. Havnt seen Charlie lately—D^r Conle was seen hereabout yesterday inviting folks to dinner!!

 

            I am well yet. most of the officers are sick some quite so—I am very prudent and do a great deal of sleeping and dont propose to worry much any how, but the best way for me to keep calm is to forget that there is any other state in the world than Virginia, and that I love you and the little ones.

            Hug Clara kiss Lizzy & believe that I do look for you.

 

                                               

Affy Yours

Fran^s J Parker

 

            We moved about ½ mile down river yesterday in the mud. Sunshine here—feel better.

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