Camp Newbridge June 7^th 1862

                                                            Kind and much respected Friend Agnes

                                    your very welcome letter of the 28^th was duly received yesterday and was read with intense interest I feel much pleased to hear from you but oh how sorry I feel for you your mother and your kind and noble brother who has suffered both sickness and imprisionment in richmond I could scarcely believe he was a prisoner but could not doubt it as you having told me you did not mention where he was taken prisoner or how he was taken when you answer this please tell me how he was taken if you know. we are now encamped with in 7 miles of richmond with the whole of M^cclellens army. and M^cdowells army join us on the right so when we get ready to make an attack it will be mad with the whole force of both armies so I think a defeat is almost uncertain I have not seen any fighting yet but heard all the fighting of the battle at hanover courthouse it was a terrible battle the cannons roared past like a steady thunder and the volleys of musketry were quick and sharp while the long ranged riflemen were head at different times and I suppose each shot from them made one man less to fight time after time was our troops over numbered them they would stand until the enemy came up face to face and our brave men would/charge on them and drive them back but they would again be reinforced and return but only to ruin and defeat for again our cannon would mow down their ranks and force them back for five long hours the battle raged when darkness closed in and ended the battle for that day it being the 31^st but on sunday morning it commenced but did not last long as our men soon drove them back but not with out the loss of a good many lives but on monday morning they commenced but our men still eager to gain more ground than they had before and so they fought like tigers and the rebles could do nothing but fall back and finally left our men master of the field which they had so dearly wone. now the intention of the rebles was to drive our men into the river and make another balls bluf affair but I think they slipt up on it while sitting in my little canvass house I can hear the roar of cannon and I heard one volley of musketry I expect they have commenced fighting for my part I wish the war was done with but I know we must have one hard fight and the sooner it commences the better for then I think the war will be settled but many a hearth stone will be vacant and many father will be made to feel sad many a mother to grieve and a brother to mourn while many a sweet sister will be made to weep over a lost brother but I hope it will not be so in your family I hope your brother may again return home to make you all happy and enjoy a long and happy life Kind friend I will now tell you how I have been I have done no duty for near a month I have been sick but did not have to go to the hospital but I am not much better yet and do not expect to feel much better as long as I am here where it is so warm/

            I am not with my company after we moved up to where we are now encamped at the present time my company was ordered back to the white house but I was not able to follow them and since they went away I have tented with my old tent mate who is now signal sergeant some days I feel pretty well but on other days I am not able to get out of my tent I felt pretty well to day and I made up my mind I would answer your kind letter. well Agnes I have told you all the news that I know of. I will now bring back the memories of the past. you spoke of me making a visit home and to see you and your beautiful garden and flowers I would love dearly to make such a visit I would love to see your beautiful garden and flowers but not your garden and flowers alone I would give much more to see you your kind and gentle mother and your brothers I would love dearly to take a walk with you and to sit by your side and tell you of my journey through this war so far and tell you how we lived and how we slept and many other things which I know would be interesting to you I enjoyed many pleasant evenings with you while I was boarding with your mother you made many an hour pleasant which would have been very lonesome with out your company. well my friend as the afternoon is far spent I will be obliged to close give my respects to Aunt Charlett to your mother to Dan and to all of my lady acquaintences espeicially to Margy if you see her I feel very sorry for margy for I think she was a true and noble girl not a girl but a lady to you Please except my love and best wishes for your future life may it be one of happiness and prosperity a happy death and an everlasting crown in heaven, from your true friend

F C Miller direct in care of capt Ford Co A. 50^th regt NYSV

                                                fare well for the present