Yorktown Va 

June 20^th 1863.

 

My Respected Parents.

                        Some time has passed since I wrote you. We have been quite busy in recconnoitering the Blackwater for the past 7 days. we left camp at Suffolk a week yesterday Friday and marched to South Quay thence to several places on the river shelling the towns and skirmishing with what Rebs remained In six days we marched on an average of 16 or 20 miles a day never starting until 10 in the forenoon and the weather very hot. on the night of the 5^th day we were ordered back to Suffolk. on the morning of / the 6^th day we left Carsville and arrived in camp at 2pm very much exhausted. the marching was almost double quick. we had no sooner arrived than the order was immediately had to pack up in heavy marching order. At 2½ oclock Friday we got on board the train for Norfolk. arriving in there we went on board the transport Maple Leaf and Express and headed for Fort Monroe. received orders there to proceed to Yorktown arriving in the night. This morning landed and are now in camp in a beautiful spot near the bank of the river and are in hopes to remain here until we start for home The front is at Williamsburgh whether we shall have to go forward or not we do not know 

 

If we are asked to remain over our time I think that the answer will be to the contrary for the men will vote against it as they are all eager to get home. I suppose that an advance is to be made whether it will be successful remains to be told. the forces landed to day is about 22,000.

 

            I shall try to look around the fortifications if we remain any length of time. can give no news at present. we are all exhausted. have had no time to gain our strength If we have not seen much fighting we have had as hard marching as any army has had during this war. Am well and hope to see home soon. with Love to all I am

 

your Affectionate Son Albert.

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