Near Cumberland Va May 14^th 1862. We are here with the 18^th Regt encamped on the banks of the Pamunkey River I have not kept any Journal for a few days past and I hardly know what to say for myself. We left Yorktown I forget when I wrote my last letter but we staid at Yorktown untill 10 am Saturday we had nothing at all do there except to take care of our teams.

 

Sat was pleasant & very warm we went as far as Williamsburg & encamped for the night. We had a rather tedious time. there was a train of wagons over 2 miles long besides some artillery that was ahead of us. Our train was composed / of the Brigade teams 31^st 32^nd 95 and 18^th We were under the charge of Quarter Master of 31^st some 30 or more privates from 18^th with a Lieut & Sergt were along as guard for the teams I saw over the Battle field at Williamsburgh. But I saw nothing that would indicate that there had been [?] in a few days such a struggle there except the graves A man from one of Vt Regt I believe who was there on guard told some very hard stories. He said that our loss was much greater than the papers would ever publish He said that he had help bury over 500 union troops it was a bad place for our men to fight in. the Rebels had all the advantage. I cant describe the exact situation as I had but little time to look around We encamped just south of the Battle field at dark and then I had to take care / of my self & horse. Near where we encamped was a several secesh & US guns, also a great quantities of clothing the most of it union, blankets scatered everywhere. I picked up a very good blanket but as I didnt know who had used it I give it to my horse

 

Sunday pleasant & warm We started 8 oclock am and after hard driving we reached West Pt about 4 pm from there we went 3 miles towards Kent City Court House where the 18^th Regt was encamped the roads were much better to day than yesterday and some of the way we drove pretty fast Scenery quite dull. Almost all woods & swamp Williamsburg looked quite pretty is much larger that I had any idea of we drove the town on a pretty good trot so I had but little chance for to see We were quite tired to night was glad to see the Regt once more. We had heard all sorts of stories about them Nat & Chesmore grab me by the hand as soon as I got inside of lines / Franklins Div had a skirmish with the the Rebels at West Pt as you have undoubtedly read ere this I cant say how many were killed I have not seen a paper since the 9^th now in this Regt one Lieut wounded is all I believe. the 95 31^st "Col Prall" 32^nd suffered considerably I see over 30 graves of the 31^st it is almost a miracle that the 18th was allowed to escape They were on the brow of a hill and Col Young gave orders for the men to fall down on their faces this probably saved them—

 

They fired 3 heavy volleys directly over their heads Chesmore says that if he had have been have standing up he is sure that 5 balls would have hit him. He tells by some twigs that were cut just over him. Nat says that two spears of grass were cut off within 2 inches of his head by bullets, a pretty close call I think the 18^th had but 6 companies out "the rest were on picket"—the Boys were generally cool and ready to do their best no credit is given in the papers to the 18^th But if I am rightly informed they acted well / Chesmore has just brot me a letter from home which I am very glad to see. In my letter from Cheesemans landing I didnt know where to tell you to direct. I presume you have got letters from me ere this that explains the case. As for Mr Wm E Niles tell the scamp not to send me any more such long letters. Your letter is dated May 1^st if I am right to day is the 14^th You can rest assured that I am glad enough to hear from you all again. the Rebels are not in so good order as they used to was and every day brings things nearer to a close Still I fear that they will give us some tro yet. I presume you are better posted as regards the situation now than I am as I have had no papers since the 9^th /

 

I am sorry old pomp is lame I often think of the kind folks at home and some times wish that I could see you all again. I dont want you think I am suffering or unhappy for such is not the case. I have but little to do and am getting along well. I.E. as far as living or the present wants are concerned. But when a man makes any money as a private it will be after this I will send all I can spare I am heartily ashamed of my efforts to get along & make things comfortable. But believe me whether I write or not I havent forgotten home nor never shall please excuse the lack of news in this letter & oblige

                                                                        Yours Allways            Frank

 

I found a knapsack of the road side yesterday marked F.M.N.J.Vol &c there was a clean shirt & a few sheets of this paper paper in. as I had no paper and the name was so near mine I took it there are lots of knapsacks &c throwd away the [?] and recd quite a compliment from Genl Newton. I can safely depend upon the statements of Nat & Chesmore as I never knew of truer blues. "Monday rain & hot or reverse as you please" Hot & rain in camp to day kept busy all day doing nothing AM cooked some rice PM I washed 3 shirts stockings &c Hung the washing. Tuesday we were called up at 4 ock AM getting ready for to start 6 AM. Waited untill 9 or ten for the road to get clear of wagons there was no end to them We arrived here 8 ock PM. We were bothered all day all sorts of reports going around some part of M^cClellans staff wagons were attacked & this for two or three hours made things lively / I dont know the particulars as yet so I cant tell much. (Genl M^cC— & staff passed within 3 ft of where I stood so I had a good chance to see them) the country is nothing but a sand heap covered with pine woods and cut up with cross roads & bypaths in all directions We had to wait & wait all day. the distance is only 12 or 13 Va miles same as Iowa. But when we are in the middle of a 50 acre corn field corn up 4 inches a kind of sand can hardly stop without going in our shoes We are having easy times to day it has been cloudy all day & for the past hour or so it has rained quite hard it is now 2 ock PM present prospects are that a day or two of rain is the first thing then some thing else could not possibly tell what

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