.NDA.NDY

Marine Hospital, May 20 1861.

My dear Fanny; I have a few minutes to spare from my duties here, which I am going to divide between Mary & yourself & try to get a second or two left for Aunt Mary Willcox. As you undoubt know I left home last Saturday week for Norfolk along with the 4th Battalion of Volunteers. Since that time we have been stationed first about 2 miles beyond Norfolk to defnd a Powder Magazine & now at this place within [sight?] of Nk. with no particular business exept to be ready in case we are wanted. I [doubt?] myself believe there will be much if any fighting, in spite of this warlike news every day. I feel sure that in any event we shall come out all right. Thompson [Isce?] is in [Carup?] near Richmond - Tell [Perocucem?] from me that he must by no account think of joining any company. It is enough that two of us should be in the field. It is the duty of the other one to stay at home & he is the only [proper?] one of us there to do so. I am unmarried & of course ought to go. Thompson was before me in becoming a soldier [The?] oldest is the one who should stay & take care of those who are left behind. Besides his is a Father & I have no idea of my nephews losing his precept & example. I trust quiet may be restored soon enough to enable me to pay you a visit before the Sping or at any rate the Summer is gone. Give my best love to [Perocucem?] & my love too to Aunt Lockie & all her family. Good-bye my dear Fanny. Your attached brother. J. Willcox Brown write to me, 4th Battalion, near Norfolk.