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My Dear Mother,

 I wrote you a line in my letter of yesterday,& to day send you a whole one for yourself.  The enclosed letter of the 18th of May from Aunt M. was mailed in Norfolk, as the post mark shows,& is addressed in Frank's hand, doubtless sent on by someone leaving the North for Virginia.  

 I wish you could post a letter to them, & and by no means despair myself of doing so.

 I am still in Richmond, but will leave to morrow for Wmsburg where I shall attempt to recruit for the N.B., & hope to gather up a few good men.  I need not tell you all again that I shall be very prudent & guard both my health & person with assiduous care --- for your sake, for Quincy?, for Babes?, & my own.  Thus far I am quite well & hope to go thro' the summer, which you know is my season, without sickness.

 And now dear Mother, with a kiss for you, I turn to say a word to Annie, & little fancies -- ____ to Rosa.  Your____ ___

Dear Little Wifie,

 I am about to sally out in search of your letter which I hope is waiting me at the post, & constitutes my main regret in leaving Richmond that I shall thereafter be able to write you only at longer intervals, & hear from you only irregularly.  Still Dearest I am cheered with the thought of your safety & comfort & pray you to cultivate a cheerful temper & serene mind, trusting in that power that has never failed us. 

 For my own part, now that the great bitterness of our parting is over I am sternly resolute in crushing down ______ -- until 10 o'clock when I pray I do not allow any soft feelings to assert then may thus I fall asleep looking  upon you & my children. ---

 Hereafter, until further order, address Wmsburg, be careful to tell me all about yourself & the chicks.  Your ____, James

Dear Misses Navin?,

 Papa sends you a thousand kisses half of which you must give your big sister?  Papa