On board Chooner Leo Lyon at Jamestown V.A.

                                                        August 14^th 1862.

 

Friend JD,

                        It being a long time since I have hurd from you I address you with a few lines. With a poor pen and paper I have been in V.A. since last April. I am sutler for the Mich 7^th Reg’^t Volunteers. I have the good will and confidence of my Regt and have been through a great many hardships But my health has been pretty good the majority of the time I think this climate agrees with me. I have traveled the Peninsola over and over between Fortress Monroe and Fair Oaks five miles from Richmond it is considdered a quite an unhealthy potion of Vaginia

 

            I have seen all the horrors and destruction of war. I have been up and down the York Pawunkey Chickahomeny and James Rivers. I have stoped and been incamped at numerous places. I will name some of note Youngs Mills. Ship Point. Near York town. at York town. Williamsburg. Cumberland. White house. on the banks of the Chickahomeny. Fair Oaks five miles from Richmond, whare I had to retreat back to Fortress Monroe by land a distance of about one hundred and twenty five miles. I saved/ our team by the retreat. I stayed at the Fortress about three weeks before I could reach my Reg’^t I joind it at Harrison Landg. on James River about twenty seven miles from R.

 

            We are evacuating this place and I am on my way to the Fortress whare I expect to find the chooner that has got on our stock of goods which was on the way from Baltimore when I left Harrison Landing.

 

            It is not known whare the army is going to. I shall wait at the Fortress untill I hear and then proceed with our goods. JD, I must say I am living a very strange life. But do not always expect to follow it I have bearly escaped twice being taken prisnor, once at Gaslicks Ferry where we lost some goods and once at Fair Oaks. we lost our tent and what good ware in it there. But these things are onely the misfortunes of war

 

            I understand some of my good friends in Richmond Vt. have turned out as I told you they would three years ago. I remerember remember them. I calculate to pay them my compliments if I live they perhaps made a mistake when they pitched onto me. there is one thing certain I never have asked any favors of them, and they have not got red of me. I shall/ be with them as long as they will want to have me as I told them in the commencement.

 

            I want you to write me and tel me all the news. I have not heard much from home. it is very sendom I get a letter. give my regards to Dads people and Goodriches tel them I would like to hear from them all.

 

                        Direct your letters

                                                B N Jones

                                                Fortress Monroe V.A.

                                    Sutler Mich 7^th Reg^t Volen

 

and I shal have them delivered me in camp. I want you to write me what your business is and how you are getting along. You will notice I have written in haste but it is as good as things will average on a Schooner.

 

                                    I remain Your

                                    Obt Servant and friend           Bertram. N. Jones

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