Difference between revisions of ".NDQx.NjAy"

Latest revision as of 16:11, 11 August 2017

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[Marginalia] I have been [ page torn ] letter by Townsville le me know [ page torn ] is the best way.

Gloucester Point

Ap[ril] 4th 1862

Dear Precious – I have been looking anxiously, for two mails, for a letter from you, but have been doomed to dis- appointment; and now late at night, af- ter having stood guard last night, and worked hard all day, building a kitchen, I wish for the boys to go to bed in order that I may have a good quiet time to think about you and talk with you. If I cant read a letter from you, I must do what affords me the most highest pleasure – write one to you. I have been very busy since I reached hear [here] getting our house & kitchen fixed, but we cannot have things entirely comfortable till our kitchen furniture comes from Richmond [VA]; in the mean time, our company has been very kind to us, and treated us more like old friends & acquaintances than as strangers. There are some find men in it – good

[Envelope]

Mrs. Nannie V. Watkins Care Mr. Jos[eph] B. Daniel Townesville V.A. . [Marginalia - Envelope]

Send by Sass[afras] Fork mail

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pious, intelliga [ page torn ] and while I am often shocked a [ page torn ] profanity around me; it is a great comfort, to know that there are many humble, pious christians in our tents. I have just returned form on e of the most interesting and solemn [?] meetings I have ever attended – held in the then of our Orderly Sergeant All of our officers except one or two are pious, & hold three prayer meetings a week in the tents. The men take it by turns to conduct the meeting, and always one or two make short exhortations – Alvin Daniel to-night prayed a most excellent prayer – the meeting was conducted by a your man of almost 20 years [appantly? [apparently], and another of about the same age made a fine exhortation, as id also our second lieut[enant]. There were twenty or more present. They are all Bap- tist, but different from any I ever saw before – the meeting was exactly like a Presbyterian meeting. Daniel Booker has just come in and interrupted me some; He is on guard to-night, & Johnny will go on

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to-morrow & to- [ page torn ] [ni]ght. Doc & I were on yesterday & [ page torn ] our guard duty is easier that th[at] of any branch of the service – We stand 8 out of 24 hours -standing two hours at a time, and resting four. I had a very plasant [pleasant] time of it – being stationed on a post between Doc & a pleasant little fellow named [Wil...?], in a fort with the York River just a few yards from me – The night was so pleasant that an overcoat was un- comfortable. I witnessed a beautiful sight this evening. The Yankee was unsure which [?] [?] the York River is in full view of our guns – This evening one of our picket boats, approached rather near her, and she fired some six or eight shells at it. We could see the flash of the cannon & see the shells explode, but it was so far off that it took 1/2 minute for the report to reach us – We could hear first the report of the cannon, then in a few seconds the explosion of the shell – havent heard whether it injured our boat –

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Sat[urday] morning – [Co..?] [ page torn ] writing last night. There was great [exc...] [ page torn ] over at York du- ring the night, - the [en]emy are said to be in 5 miles of it – all of our infantry were ordered over early in the night & stronger guards put out here – They roused Abe & Johnny up about 10 o.c[lock] for guard – Sam goes out to day – Doc & I will go out a- gain to-morrow, our time coming now once in three days instead of once in eight, as before. Every body seems to anticipate a fight, but I think it very doubtful. I must stop as it will soon be time for drill. Dear Nannie nine days have passed & no letter – it is hard e- nough to be away from you. Write often & any- thing – all the sayings & doings of Charley & Minnie, & about ever thing around house. I didn’t know how much I love you all till now – Give much love to all at your Pa’s, and make them write to me. Manage so that I can get three (at least two) letters a week – God bless you & our children. Your devoted husband N[athaniel] V. W[atkins]

[Marginalia]

All Well [‘all well’ underscored]