.MTc0OA.MjgwMA
Camp Ruffin Va
March 30th 1862
My dear Sister:
I received your kind
letter a few days ago, and as always was very glad to hear from you. This leave
me very well and I trust it may find
you all well. There is nothing of interest
goign on except Reenlisting &c. I thought
when I was at home, that I certainly would
come home when my time was out, but
under existing circumstances, I think
it is my duty to Reenlist, for if there
ever was a time when my Country needed
me it is now. And if we do not Reenlist
I believe we will be "Drafted" here before
we go home. I am going to join the
Ellis Artillery, it is stationed at this
place, they are trying to make up a new
Company to be attached to this present
Co under Command of Maj Ram[?]
I think it is the best chance or as good
[P. 2]
as I will get anywhere else, I will be
with three or four Dunno Boys, Mike & Bill
Allen, Davie, Gill & Bob Brooks, & good
many of the Boys from this Co are
going to join it. I know you all will
hate for me to Reenlist, but if you
Rightly consider the matter, you will
decide that I ought to Reenlist [underlined]. This Artillery
is a very good Co [underlined] has very fine Officers
indeed, I like them very much. all the
boys in it are very well satisfied, like it
very much, and I think I would be better
satisfied there than anywhere else. The
other Regts [underlined] of this Brigade have been ordered
across James River, to Genl [underlined] Magruder
and are gone, we expected to go, but
did not. We are all well, and getting
on finely. I must close, Write whenever
it is convenient. I am always so glad
to hear from home. God bless you
all dear Sisters, is the Prayer of you
Devoted Brother,
Tom