Apr the 20/62

Camp Near Kinston N.Ca.

 

Miss Sarah J. M^cDonald

Dear Miss it is with the greatest pleasure that I acknowledge the reception of your verry kind and most welcomed letter which came to hand a bout 25 minutes a go you cannot imagine what pleasure it aforded me to hear from you and to hear that you were well and in good spirits I have nothing of any importance to communicate to you at this time ever since the battle at Newbern times has been very dull with us we have a little fun some times be fore the battle we were all bragging who was the best man and the bravest soldier and ever since we brag on the best runner. it was a critical time any one that was never in a battle dont know any thing a bout it I was thinking a bout our gallant boys are a going to battle seeking fame where the cannons rattle / They did rattle sure a nough Capt Kellys Co. was stationed betwen H. 12 pounders of Binn's Artilery every time it would fire you cant imagine what good it done me the yankes made a charge on it when we arose with our old muskets and gave them such a warm reception they fled like scared sheep we gave many of them there discharge from the Army with out doubt we was in good way of whipping them when all on the extreme right of us had left and the yankes had taken there place and we got orders to retreat I can assure you we done the hardest fighting and got the least prais from what I can hear if you hear any body say that your Moore county boys did^nt fight you tell them that it is^nt so. O I must tell you I heard from your brother D. L. this week he is getting well verry fast he is in the hospital at Tarboro I wrote to him this week /

I want it fairly understood in moore county that there is no such thing as the Captains reading our letters I am verry much suprised how that report started I can tell you it is without foundation so you may write just what you pleas write four pages of fools cap paper and tell all that fun for I know you have any amount of it I must come to a close for the yankes is coming again so I heard this morning they are coming by land and water I must clean up my old gun and be ready for another fight it will be victory or death next time for we are not a going to bear the name of cowards I would like to write more to you and to those other Ladies that was with you when you wrote to me but you tell them that I said I wish I could a slept in and heard them talking about there little boys I think it is a very good idea for them to be good to the / little boys for all the large ones is in for nine days and no telling how things may turn out yet give them my best respects and reserve a good portion for yourself write soon to your

           

Sincere friend

N A Patterson

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