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Henrico County [Virginia] May 17th 1862.

Dear Nannie – I am now, after a short, but very dis- agreeable march, in the woods, in camp, about five or six miles from Richmond. [Virginia] We left our camp in New Kent [County, Virginia] Thursday night at 6 o.c[lock], and marched until 7 o.c[lock] next morning – the [struck-through] it rained all night and the roads were much worse than any you ever saw – We were attached to a field piece with horses which [...ed?] every ten or fifteen minutes, & our crew of five or six had to put their shoulders to the wheels & push them out of mud holes & up hills in mud sometimes over our knees – The other boys had a better time, as they had better teams. [and?][struck-through?] We made only 5 miles that night Yesterday [struck-through] [?] [?] after a few hours rest continued the march over the same roads, and stopped last night about dark – just as we stopped Gen[eral] [Daniel Harvey] Hill came up and ordered my gun & another to go back about one mile on picket guard for the rear of the army. – We went back and planted our guns and by nine o.c[lock] had gone [...gly?] to-bed, the infantry being detailed to guard for us. Just now we are ordered to give up our light guns & move our camp a few miles, so I must stop until

                                     5 1/2 o.c[lock]

I can write again. (Camp 4 miles from Richmond ^ ) – We were put as soon as we gave up our [?][struck-through] guns, with the other three artillery companies from Glo[uce]st[er] P[oint] [Virginia], in Gen[eral] [Robert E.] Rhodes Brigade – the detach- ment of our company which were with the guns have just now no arms, but will be fur- nished soon I suppose with muskets. We hope still that we will soon be placed in a heavy battery near R[ich]mond, in fact one of our artillery companies have already gotten a battery, & we too would have gotten one but for the effort our officers made to get a light battery. All of our boys, have [gone?] (I mean Doc, & Ron & Alex & Daniel & my)self) have stood the march first rate – in fact have rather enjoyed [?] – it was so new though it was sometimes very hard. We [?] with Gen[era] Hills division& under him, & [?] see him very often while marching – also [  ? ] Capt[ain] Baskerville once or twice on

[Postmarked Envelope]

Mrs. Nannie V. Watkins Care Mr. Jos[eph] B. Daniel Townesville N[orth] C[arolina]

Send by Sass[afras] Fork [North Carolina] Mail

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    every day,

the road ^ and the men of his company. If we are turned into infantry we will make an effort to be transferred to Baskerville’s com- pany, or to Tom [?] Reg[imen]t. We could sometimes see eight or ten thousand men marching at one time – Infantry, artillery and cavalry – it was a grand sight and it appeared as if it was almost impossible for so many men to be whipped by anny force – We are now situated in a whortleberry thicket only four miles from R[ich]mond but in what direction or where abouts I know not. Nor do I know what are the plans of our Generals, but it is gen- erally thought we will certainly make a stand near here. (Sunday Morning 18th) Had no time to write more last night – This morning we are waked up at 3 o.c[lock] to prepare to march. – I will close this in order that you may have from me – I feel so uneasy about you all since I have heard that you were having the fever – Direct to Richmond – care of Capt[ain] Bagley as before – but not to care of Col[onel] Crump – Dear Darling dont be uneasy about me – They all say I stand it first rate – The greatest hardship I have under- gone, was when I left you, & the imposs[i]bility of hearing from you Much love to all – write to R[ich]m[on]d as soon as you get this & send it immed[i]ately to [Townesville?] or C.ville Your husband N[athaniel] V. W[atkins]