April 2^nd 1862

Camp near Newport News Virginia

 

Dear Kate. I send these few lines to let you know that I am still in good health and hope that they will find yourself and the family in the same state I have not heard any thing from you since we have been down here and feel very anxious to hear from you. we are laying on very bad ground very wet and heavy and the water is very bad to drink the most of our company are on the sick list from the effects of it for myself I feel first rate and get along very well as long as I have enough to eat. there is nothing to be seen down here but soldiers they are laying around as thick as hail yesterday I got a pass and went down to Hampton where Col Baxter's / regiment is laying and seen John Lemon and any quantity of boys that I knew. you can tell Albert that I seen John Ott Skinner, John Boon, Jim Butcher, John Kelly, Tom Slaven, Jack Wolbert, John Mitcheson, and his brother Bob, Davy Genter, Bob Martin, Bob M^cBride, and all the rest of the boys from around the Corners. they look first rate and I suppose that we will all be very near together. George Hoffner said that he would try and get over to see me today but he has not been here yet.

 

they lay about four miles from us and it is very hard to get from one Division to another without a pass and it has to be signed by a Brigadier General the Colonel / of a regiment has to have a pass or else he cant leave his regiment last Sunday and Monday our Company with several other companies in the Division were thrown out on grand guard about two miles from our Division but nothing turned up of any consequence. I expect that there will be a forward movement made very soon as there is any amount of men around here I want you to let Kelly know that I seen his brother John and that he is well give him my respects and tell him that I will write to him as soon as I have a chance If you see Aunty tell her that I seen John Lemon that he is well also give her my respects / try and write to me as often as possible. I suppose that there is some letters on the road for me as we have not received any mail since we have been on the sacred soil of Virginia give my respects to all the folks and believe that I think of you and the boys very often I will close this now as it is near dress parade

                       

Yours

Tom

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