Camp Magruder June the 1^st 1862

 

Miss Sarah Jane M^cDonald

 

Dear Friend     I now take my pen in hand to inform you that I am well at this time & I hope these few lines may find you all well. now as it regards sending and receiving letters it is an entire misunderstanding it appears with us both for I candidly say I never sent a letter directly to you the mistake must to have been in me or those who were writing for me you must to have rec^d the letter that I sent to your cousin Sarah A. M^cDonald If it was backed to you it was not done intentionaly But so much for the mistake I hope you look / over it as a mistake If I had tried to keep my communication concealed you would perhaps to have slided into the merits of it But I am willing for any of my friends to see my letters that I send to my friends &c.

 

I have no news to communicate to you at this time more than you can hear in the news papers of the day You have heard of the late victories of Stonewall Jackson I would suppose It is now said he has crossed the Potomac River and is progressing towards Washington the federal Cap^tl We learn now that heavy skirmishing have been going on there since some time our forces being victorious the Ball is now opened / says the Richm^d Whig and we know not what a day may bring forth to day the great Battle may be going on between the two Grand Armies of North & South We have great confidence in our troops at Richm^d But yet they can not be too cautious for this is an important place The troops are leaving here and going to Va General Branches Brigade is gone and two Regiments of ours Our orders is to be ready at an hours notice We may go as for anything I can say If we are needed we will be sure to go I hope we will not have to leave N.C. / I am sorry to state to you the loss of another of our brave boys

 

M^r Green B. Cox died the 30 ult of typhoid fever Green was a noble fellow & a good soldier and will be missed very much in our Company I must now close my remarks by saying to you please write soon and give me all the news

 

I Remain your affectionate

Friend until Death

N. A. Ray

 

P. S. direct to Kinston in care of Capt C. Dowd

NAR

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