Headquarters 2d Brigade,
Nor. Dist. Dept. Of The South,
James Island, June 4th, 1862.
My dear Mother:
I must write a few lines to inform you of my continued welfare, although we are now actually in the field. We have had much skirmishing the past few days and some small losses. I got in a bog yesterday, lost my horse, and had a hot time of it escaping. I will give you the particulars, when I have time to be minute. I cannot say how soon the engagement will become general. We have a young prisoner with us named Henry Walker, who was a Lieutenant in Sam Lord’s Company. He reports Capt. Lord on the island. Alfred Tyler is also here. Tell Cousin Louisa, Lord is still by no means rabid in his secession sentiments. He talks still of some Northern cousin of his, older than himself, and with children now almost old enough for him to marry, but who was an old sweetheart of his, and for her sake he has a kindly feeling toward all the people of the North. He does not think he cares to hang all Yankees, but credits them with virtues not generally admitted by devotees of secession. Lord has lost a cousin lately — a Mrs. Walker, I think — only a short time married. I do not doubt that all this will interest Cousin Louisa and Horace.
This letter is short, but I trust satisfactory, as I have good health and spirits to communicate. I have received Lilly’s letter, and will send no messages to her until I can answer it at length. May she be very happy though, should the chances and perils of war forbid our meeting again. Good-bye, many times good-bye.
Love to all the dear friends who have always been so kind to me.
Next I shall hope to write from Charleston.
Very affec’y;
Will.
