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Gloucester Point Apr 29th ‘62
My dear Nannie – Yours of Apr 28th with Lou’s was
received this morning – for which many thanks to
both of you. Nothing of any interests has happened
here on on the Peninsula, that we know of.
We received this morning some very confused accounts
about the fall of N. Orleans, which we are com-
pelled to believe, and which has discouraged
some of our men (I am sorry to see) a good
deal. It was nothing more, though, than we might
have expected – and while it will doubtless
have the effect to prolong the war (and thus
makes me feel gloomy/ – yet I think it should
not shake our faith in the final success of our
cause. The awful profanity of our men and officers
discourages me more than the loss of any one or
all of our sea-port towns would. I almost
feel that we cannot ask, or expect the bless-
ing of God on a cause however just which
is defended by men so profane & blasphemous.
I cannot get used to it – it grates more harshly
on my ears every day. I do think that it ought


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Glouce[.......]
A[.......]
3[.......]
‘62
VA.



Mrs Nannie V. Watkins
(care Mr. Jas. B. Danial
Townesville
N.C.

[Postmark- bottom left corner]
Tawboro
May 6
N.C.


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to be made a special object of prayers throughout [crossed out] by
all good people throughout our whole land.
There is certainly less of it in our company than
elsewhere in our Army, and I noticed it more
painfully yesterday in a visit to Yorktown &
Fort Magruder than ever before – Everywhere
the conversation seemed just the same – a per-
fect string of oaths heaped one on another, un-
til there was actually no meaning in whole senten-
ces. My visit yesterday was the first I have made
out of our lines since being here. Several fellows
got a furlough for themselves & had my name
put in without my knowledge – and I went with
them hoping to see Baskerville, whose company is
camped about a mile from York. After scanning
the fortifications around York, which are much
stronger than I had any idea of, and which
seem almost impregnable, I went on the look
for Baskerville? Just at the gap of Fort Magruder
I crossed Ruffin, who took me to B. He was
on duty with 1/3 of his company manning the
breachworks – they had just been relieved for
dinner, & were lying on a sunny hill-side.
B came from under an old piece of tent

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stretched across a pole, looking as nice &
clean, and deliberate as you ever say him.
hes taking things very easily – in good spirits,
and no one could tell, except from his new
uniform, but that he had been in service du-
ring the whole war. He will make a first
rate Capt. Had a pleasant visit, we talked
about our dear ones at home, and I felt
as if I could be much better satisfied, if I
could be with him all the time. Nat. G. was at
Petersbg & Tom Carrigton in Rmond – saw [Lurea],
but wasn’t as much pleased with him as I expec-
ted. [?] [Armis] was doing well with a big
flour hoe-cake. Saw I Newton, Wm. Cussin, Jones,
Dr Lives & other acquaintaces. Baskerville will visit
us as often as he can, but hasn’t half the
liberty & privileges which I have. I could get

a days furlough two days [crossed out] twice in every week, if I
were disposed, & then I have many more re-
ligious privileges than I had at home, &
he has none. I felt sorry for him & would
not exchange places with him. His exposure
too, to the weather will be much greater than
mine. There is a Mr. Ryland (Bro to our 2d



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Glouce[.......]
A[.......]
3[.......]
‘62
VA.



Mrs Nannie V. Watkins
(care Mr. Jas. B. Danial
Townesville
N.C.

[Postmark]
Tawboro
May 6
N.C.



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Lieut) staying in our camp, who has been
engaged for some time distributing tracts among
the soldiers & leading prayer meetings in the
tents – he is a remarkably nice, clever
young man – is a Baptist Minister. Our
2d Lt. has been prof. in the R.mond College.
I shall always hereafter respect & love the
Baptist. I see nothing of their ignorance &
bigotry here – No one could tell but that
they were Presbyterians – their hymns, prayer,
remarks & manner of conducting their
meetings are all ours. We had a sermon
yesterday (Monday) evening from Mr Staad,
(a steward) the Episcopal minister who was
dragged out of his pulpit in Alexandria
for refusing to pray for the Prest. of the U.S.
You may have seen some account of it in
the papers. He, after much persecution,
escaped from Alexandria about the time
the Yankees commenced moving their Army
from the Potomac to the Peninsula, and
was the first man who brought intelligence of
it to Our Generals. He left his family in Alexa.
& escaped dressed as a sailor or [?] a



(5)
great many hair breath escapes, and is now
staying with the army of the Peninsula.
His daughter a beautiful young girl of fifteen
was dragged for some distance through the
streets by the inhuman soldiers – he was
compelled to leave his family, & thought
it would be less exposed to insult and
annoyance now he is away, than before.
There is a fine house in full sight of
our battery belonging to a Tan Farenholt,
who is in our army at Yorktown (in
sight of his own house) in the possession
of the enemy. Mrs. F and her niece, a
young lady failed to get off and are in
possession of the Enemy, who respose to
let them come away. We can plainly see
their tents & flag & sometimes see them
moving about the house. (Wednesday Apr 30th)
When over on York I was several times
in less than a mile for the Enemy’s lines,
could see them very plainly shooting at
some of our pickets, - they succeeded in
wounding several the day I was there.




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Mis-sent Postmark
Glouce[.......]
A[.......]
3[.......]
‘62
VA.



Mrs Nannie V. Watkins
(care Mr. Jas. B. Danial
Townesville
N.C.

Postmark
Tawboro
May 6
N.C.


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Tomorrow makes just one month that I
have been in the service – and nearly
four weeks that the Enemy has been
in sight – Every day throwing shell on us.
- but as yet they have done us no injury.
I think I have received five letters from you
since being here. - If you would [? crossed out]
mention in yours the dates of those you
get from me, & the dates of your visit
home it would be more satisfactory. You
have several times spoken of a trip home,
but Lou says in her letter you have been
but once. Tell Charley his letters are as interest-
ing as any, - thank him for his little duck
feather – make him write again, our boys
were much amused at his letter. I will an-
swer it soon. Did he get my letter to him.
Our steamer commenced running yesterday, &
our letters will how come through quicker
I hope. The letters mailed in?Townesvile &
Clarksville always come more direct.
All are well & join me in much love to all.
Will answer Lou’s letter as soon as I can – but don’t
think the girls ought to count letters with me. Tell
[D Pea] if she will write me a letter, instead of a
P.S. I will deighn to notice it. God bless you darling
your devoted [?] N.V.W.