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Ap[ri]l 9th [18]62

Dear Nannie

I write in haste – hearing I can certainly get a letter through to Richmond [VA] to-day. As I have received none since I have been here – am afraid you have not heard from me. – or the fault must be in the mail – do you di- rect to care of Capt[ain] [Jno.] R. Bagley King & Queen Artillery, Gloucester Point. I was opening a large full mail bag, all night, last night in my dreams, looking for a letter from you – but found nothing but bits of old dirty newspaper direc- ted to Mrs. Whittaker, and old time – stained pamphlets directed to Mr. Bal- lantine. All the time Charley was standing by me just as he was when I left him, except about two feet taller, darling little Minnie, I didn’t see. I stood guard night before last (the worst night, all the soldiers say, they have had here since the war) but didn’t mind it at all, not half as much as failing to hear from you one day. A soldiers life isn’t so rough if a man takes it cheerfully & resolutely Don’t believe all the rumors you see in the papers. I see & hear a good many from this place which are entirely false. Though not a mile from the [fiting?][struck-through] fighting we can get no reliable news here, ex-

[Envelope]

[Postmark] – Gloucest[er Point] VA Apr 9 1862

Mrs. Nannie V. Watkins (Care Mr. Jos[eph] B. Daniel) Townesville N.C.

[Marginalia – Envelope] Send by the Sass[afras] Fork Mail bag.

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cept that our men are cheerful & hopeful, and are constantly be- ing reinforced. The opinion of most people is that we may have some hard fighting here during the war, but this depends entirely on the success of the Yankees on the Peninsula. My own opinion is that no one knows any thing more about it than you do. It is certain that our men are well prepared, and are becoming stronger every day – and are determined to conquer or die, [‘conquer or die’ underscored] and I hope there are enough of us who look to the right source, the God of battles, to secure his from an [?] [?] – if so, then all are safe. I hear hundreds of rumors every day from York, but think none are worth repeating – It is certain though that [General] Magruder on Sunday entirely annihilated [five?][struck-through] three Yankee regiments, with scarcely a loss of a man. A great many of my company have crossed the river to have a shot at the skirmishers, but I think this amateur fighting

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though well enough for a single man, doesn’t suit a suit a [‘suit a’ struck-through] man with a wife & children. I am willing enough, I hope, to fight when duty calls, but am not fond enough of it to go combing after one.

I spend my time as pleasantly as I could any where off from home, and about as comfortably. Never see a lady unless I am sentinel at one of the gaps of the fort, orders have been given to keep all ladies out of the lines – as it is in the power of the Yankee Gunboats to shell us at any time. For this reason we keep our trunks on a sloop which waits at the landing always ready to run up the river & take off all the negroes.

My box hasn’t come yet, but is I think in safe hands & will come as soon as the press of reinforcements is over. Our boys all stand it very well & are all well now except Johny who is a little complaining of his bowels.

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I expected to get this letter off to-day but found the mail has gone – [?] Please find if there is any way of getting a letter through to me – and write daily until I get one. Make the girls help you – give my love to all. Tell your Ma, I would like to [have her ...? ]the Yankees a letter now Give love to Mr. [Haines?] folks & Mr [Bal...lling?] & the [Brum..lles?] folks. What has become of [?] [Anis?] – Sam says tell his ma he is putting on a clean shirt this morning – We have as nice washing as I have ever had anywhere. The only difficulty is our trunks have to be kept on the sloop - & it is almost impossible to get to them.

I think of you & Charley & Minnie always – awake & asleep – and I love you more than ever – I dont think I care to live but for you, and would go into a fight with almost perfect indif- ference, were it not for thoughts of you – May God bless you all Y[our]r devoted husband N[athaniel] V. W[atkins]