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<html>Note: Below contains both pages 1 and 2 of the letter.
[1]
Yorktown, June 11th 1861
My Darling wife:
Thank God we have
met and conqured the enemy and
none of us killed. I hasten to write
before you hear any rumors.
As you know I have been down
near Hampton & Newport News
for a week past. In the last
few days we were reinforced
by Stanards Battery with Major
Randolph and about 1100 infantry.
On yesterday morning we got in
telligence of the enemy's approach
and unfortunately three of our
pieces and all the infantry
were out scouting. They got in
to the camp in time however and
we got to work about 9.15 and
fought with varying success
until 1.30 to 2: once I thought
[2]
we were whipped. One of my
pieces which I commanded
in person was disabled after
firing only 10 rounds by breaking
a priming wire. It was the key
to the position and had the enemy
had the pluck to hold it we would
have been lost. Three of my men
were wounded – Lieut. Hudnall –
Shook & [Werth?] – Shook seriously.
I was providentially saved, for I
was very much exposed – the
shell burst all around us.
The enemy are coming on us
again – and I must close
Send this to Mother. Good bye
dearest.
Ever yours
J. Thompson Brown
I will write tomorrow.
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