p.

Camp [M.?] F. Smith, Near Newport News.
4th Month 3d 1862.

Dear Mother,

I have neglected writing home
for some time because we are told that our
letters will not go if we send them, but as
they will go sometime [underline]sure[/underline], I will now try
to keep up the dates if [underline]possible[/underline], and do
not doubt they will be good when you do
get them. I can write but [underline]little[/underline] as we are
[underline]hurried[/underline] some now. The Regt. got here a-
bout the middle of last week. I stayed at
Alexandria to help close up the Business
of the Department there so I did not get here
till seventh day, and had been full of
Business, I [underline]guess[/underline], most ever since.

I am well now, and still remain in
this same Business as before. McA. has
been with me since we left Cloud's
Mills, but he is not very well now, tho.
better than he was yesterday. He lies now
at my left now, on the floor, but he is so as
to be up much of the time to-day. We are
now under Orders to March, to-morrow at
six A.M. [strikeout]to-morrow[/strikeout]. Most of the boys are
well now, and stand forced Marches better
than sluggish Camp life.