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This item is currently being transcribed by a volunteer. We look forward to making the full-text of the document available soon. C.G.

Recd June 1 at Burlington, Vt

              Fort Jefferson Tortugas
                    May 17th 1861

My dear Father

               I only recieved

your truly affectionate letter of the 18th March yesterday. I need not say how glad I was to recieve it, or how much indebted I am to you for your loving care and kindness for dear Mary & myself. I feel very keenly my seperation from my dear wife just at this time, and feel very anxious about her health & spirits, and it is a source of great consolation to me to know she is with one so affectionate and kind. The steamer Philadelphia arrive here last night with ordnance & stored, from Fort Pickens having been sent there from New York, & not wanted. She brings two officers of my regiment, en route to New York, who tell us that every this is quiet at that place and no attack apprehended. We have terrible news from Maryland & Virginia. I do not know what course I ought to persue exactly. I wish dear Father you would write me and let me know your views. Advise me what course my duty & honor require me to take. Whether to remain in the Army or to resign.Your advice and opinion will be law to me. I think I shall be ordered north in the course of a short time as my company is stationed at Fort Washington, and in this event I shall probably be brought into active service against the people of Virginia. I have thought a great deal of the matter but cannot decide what I ought to do. I suppose of course dear Mary paid all the charges on the boxes which were sent with her. Give her my best love and kisses, I wrote her yesterday & the letter goes by the same mail as this. Best love to dear sister Salva & Mrs Graham. I am glad to see Duncan stays at the academy. My love to him, & with much love & many thanks for yourself, I remain

           Your affectionate Son
               William