.NDQw.NjAx

[1]

[Marginalia] Much love to all, kiss Charley & Minnie for me – Write soon and a long letter, y[ou]r Husband N[athaniel] V. W[atkins]

Gloucester Point Ap[ri]l 2d 1862

Dear Nannie

We reached this place yesterday evening, Every Thing safe ex- cept our box which we were compelled to leave in Richmond. I made arrange- ments however to have it sent on in a few days. Found the boys well, except slight colds. They had built us a roomy & very comfortable house. I bought in Richmond a cooking stove & all neces- sary kitchen & household furniture, which will be sent on this week. We will build our kitchen to-day, or to-morrow. Our company has in it a good many being nice fellows, wealthy men the [finest?] families, and I like much bet- ter than when I first came doan [down] There is a fine prospect for a fight on the Peninsula, and I think we may have a little about York town, but

[2]

[General] Magruder has been reinforced so rapidly, and the fortifications at this place & Yorktown strengthened so much I think we can repulse them with ease. I am just called off to Breakfast. Had a much better supper last night than I did at the Exchange in Richmond. Nice biscuit & butter, good coffee ([?]), and [beafstick?]. – Same for breakfast – our officers are all good [praing?] [praying] men, the men more moral than most of companies so far as I can see – hear less pro- fanity in our camp than any where I have been. They are all Baptists & say there is no other denomination in their county, of course we have no drinking, as [?] [?] extends over the whole place.

If Mr. Booker comes down please send by him if he can bring them conveniently, two or three more white shirts and small pillow. – I write in [back?] with a dog, boys talking around me, and dont know what I have written, will write again soon.

[Marginalia] affectionately Y[ou]r husband N[athaniel] V. W[atkins]