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Stevensville, May 9th, 1862.

My dear Vir

I have been hard at
work all day and now just before night
take a little time to write to you.
The whole county has been in the greatest
state of excitement you ever saw since
the evacuation of York and Gloucester Point.
We knew nothing of it until Saturday.
Sunday when we got to church we found
many of the ladies in tears, and the gentle-
-men with very grave faces. However we
ascertained that day that the forces on
this side would pass through [this?] county.
Bro Richard hurried home and started
with his wagon to meet them and help
them on. Monday morning Pa started
his wagon with such [eatables?] as Ma
could fix up. Brother came back home
Monday with one of his severe headaches

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and told us that they would stay at the
Courthouse that night. Although the
weather was bad, persons were coming and
going from here all day. Just before night
two Cavalry men rode up and Aunt Mary,
Sister Emmeline, Nannie, [Suly?], Sue, Hanna[h?]
[?], and myself, rushed out to hear from
them the latest news. One of them proved
to be Jim R[?] who told us that the Yankees
were at the Court house landing, and he
came to [?] Pa's wagon to go down and
assist in carrying off the baggage, ammunit-
-ion and sick. We not know the character
of the man of course believed it and
we consequently much excited but Pa
who had gone down to the Courthouse
soon came back and told us it was not
so. Well after a scuffle we found out
what road they would take. and as soon
as we could get off Tuesday morning we
started down to the fork road near the
old mill. It is useless dear Vir for me
to attempt to give you an accurate

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descriptions of what we witnessed.
Soldiers barefooted half clothed and many
with the long march [passed?] for [?]
with wagons loaded so that the mules could with
great difficulty proceed, we saw Capt.
Page and Col Crump both fine looking
men. Most of the men were cheerful but
there were a few sad faces, among them
Jim Pollard and bro Robert. when bro
Robert bade us farewell he said while
he could not keep back the tears "be of
good cheer" and then he left us well in
tears and with sad hearts but probably carrying
a sadder than any he left [?] in his
own [?]. Coleman who went over with
with the wagon. got home last night
he left them at Mangohic in King William
they expected to get to Hanover Court house
to day. We dont know where Ned is. he
could not get over the river after the order
to leave was given, but sent Osborn home.
News from the Peninsuls rather encour-
-aging by mail today.

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[first part of page 4 written in portrait layout]

A Yankee steamer came up to Mantapike
day before yesterday. but only fired some
guns and returned. It was amusing to
see Ma and myself boxing up our little
[?] when we heard it: Ma says you
must come up when John goes to the June
Meeting if the Yankees don't have Richmond
before that time. Cousin Ellen Mathews
wants you to get for her 1 1/2 yds of blue [?]
like the pink you sent sister. Cousin Ellen
with 4 children and [2?] servants are [boading?]
at Cousin [Ben's?] Aunt Mary declines getting
the [?] if Mary Lou wants one she
will send you the money by Cousin Betty.
Aunt Mary has just left us and expects
to go [up?] [?] the last of next week.
Ned left without a rag of clothes besides
those he had on. and we don't know
where to send him others. We are left
as unprotected as you in Middlesex are.
but our trust is in One who can protect
and deliver is from the degrading hand
of a [?] [foe?] affly
Mary E Gresham

[page 4 continued-written landscape layout on left side of page across what is written above]

Our love to John. And the children say give my love to
[?] and uncle John. Some of the soldiers told brother
Richard that they had not met with such kindness in
King & Queen that they intended to send a petition to
the president to change the name of the state to
King and Queen My baby is crying and I have not time
to look over my letter.