.NDM5.NjAw

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Weldon [NC] 28th March 1862 –

My dear Nannie – It is now 9 o.c[lock] at night and I am still at this delightful place, with but little prospect of get- -ting off this week, unless I take the train back again to-morrow for Clarks- ville. [VA] I write to you now, hoping I can go on, - if I do will send it from Petersburg [VA] or Richmond. [VA] It will be impossible for us to get to Glouces- ter [VA] before Monday or Tuesday. The trains are entirely occupied carrying troops towards Petersb[ur]g, - for the Peninsula, I think. Two very long trains [ty?][struck-through] left to-day empty, but they would suffer no one to get on, as they were intended for a Brigade at Garysburg [NC] A train came in this evening filled with troops, who will go on to Petersb[ur]g before [?] to-morrow. One might possibly get on if we had no baggage. Tom Boyd or Charley [?]

[Envelope]

Mrs. Nannie V. Watkins Care Mr. Jos[eph] B. Daniel

Townesville [Nom m?] Va [underscored]

Try N.C.

[Marginalia] P[ost] M[aster] at Townesville will please send this by the Sassafras Fork mail bag.

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are with us. It is reported here that they are fighting near Newport News, but it is only a rumor – No one seems to know anything – no daily papers from Richmond. Many thanks for your letter at Mr. Booken’s – My God bless you, my dear wife – and children, and support you in this sore trial. Can [underscored] one not trust him - love to all – In haste – Your devoted husband Nat[han]iel V. Watkins [underscored]

Richmond – Sunday evening - We reached Richmond last night about dark – left Weldon Saturday morning at 5. o c[lock] – trains so long we were all day on the road - got our baggage all through safe. Never saw cars so much crowded before – Every body seems rushing to the Army, still no news. –

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Tom Boyd in rooming with us at the exchange & will go on to Yorktown with us Tuesday morning – is a fine fellow – We heard Dr. [Noen?] preach this morning - teach, [...forward...?] [struck[through] [the...?][struck-through] “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” & the preceding verse – preached an Excellent sermon, -heard Min[ister?]. [Henis?] preach a fine ser- mon form the same book a short time before I left home. Will hear Dr. Haye to-night.

In Weldon met unexpectedly

                    & friend

with an old acquaintance ^ & - Henry Mullen of Richmond, - adjutant of Col[onel] Crump’s ( my Col[onel]’s) regiment. He told me that he was out on a

                 him

[spell?], met with ^ again on the cars [coming?] out of Petersb[ur]g with some ladies, found that it was a run away party – a young officer from towards Yorktown

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had run off with a young lady & they were married at Weldon. Mullen introduced me to some of the party, but Mullen [struck-through] as I was tired & dirty didn’t cultivate their acquanitance [acquaintance] –

Find it very pleasant to have Boyd along – we can talk to each other about our wives – the other boys don’t appreciate any thing of the sort. I wish there were some married men in my mess. He and I have determined to have our Photo- graph’s taken for our wives to-morrow. If he returns home I will send mine by him – if not, will get Mrs Howeson or Mr. Booker [(?)] to take care of it. Dear Nannie write to me often & tell me every little thing about yourself & the children – Kiss Minnie for me. Tell Charley to be a good boy & not to forget his [prayers?]. It seems a long time since I [posted?] from you, I have been in such a constant crowd & excitement, Dont show my hastily written letter too freely, I am writing on the [tray?] of my trunk. Good night – Much love to all Make the girls write. -

Your aff[ectionate] Husband N[athaniel] V. W[atkins]