Franklin County: Nathaniel Dunn to his brother, May 4, 1862 — Letters

Summary

Dunn describes the advancement of Union troops toward Richmond and suggests that the end of the war is near.

Dear Brother

I received your letter in post time and was glad to hear from you I am well at present and hope these few lines may find you enjoying good health. There is great excitement in camp to night. we hear that our troops are in possesion of Yorktown. they Evacuated their fortifications and retreated about [unclear: 18] miles towards Richmond. they are now stationed on Chickahommny creek. the 3 P.V.C. ~~and the~~ are following them up and capturing their men as fast as they can. and Banks and M^c Duvall are coming up in the rear. I think against they get Richmond and Yorktown (our troops I mean) it will be the ending of the war. I hope so anyhow. we have orders to night to go to the fort tomorrow morning on some business or other I dont know what. there is no use of guessing for we wont know till we get there. some of the rebbels gunboats was seen off Crany Island to day but they showed no sign of fight. There is a report that they are Evacuated [unclear: Senals] Point but there is no telling how true it is. for as I often say you cant believe anything you hear, untill it is proved. we were mustered for two months more pay on the 30 of last month. we will be payed in less than 15 days. now there is pretty good pasture down here in some places. now we were out ~~theday~~ today letting our horses have a little. it is pretty warm here. we are beginning to try our luck fishing now some of the Regiment is out all the time. we catch eels, cat fish, and spots, and some times [unclear: toad ]fish but it is rather early yet. tell Steward we have better times now than him and me had at the old warehouse. Give my love to Jane. to Ben, also, my love to Fred. tell old XJ I send my love to him. and I am looking for that woman he said he was going to send me. tell him to hurry up, for I am waiting verry patiently. tell old Jimmy I send my love to him. tell old Jimmy that the one he had his eye on says he is no man atal. this is about all. so I must stop writing. Nothing more at present except I remain your Brother

Nathaniel Dunn

Dear Brother

I received your letter in post time and was glad to hear from you I am well at present and hope these few lines may find you enjoying good health. There is great excitement in camp tonight. we hear that our troops are in possession of Yorktown. they Evacuated their fortifications and retreated about [unclear: 18] miles towards Richmond. they are now stationed on Chickahommny creek. the 3 Pennsylvania Volunteer Companies ~~and the~~ are following them up and capturing their men as fast as they can. and Banks and M^c Duvall are coming up in the rear. I think against they get Richmond and Yorktown (our troops I mean) it will be the ending of the war. I hope so anyhow. we have orders tonight to go to the fort tomorrow morning on some business or other I don't know what. there is no use of guessing for we won't know till we get there. some of the rebels' gunboats were seen off Crany Island today but they showed no sign of fight. There is a report that they are Evacuated [unclear: Senals] Point but there is no telling how true it is. for as I often say you can't believe anything you hear, until it is proved. we were mustered for two months more pay on the 30 of last month. we will be payed in less than 15 days. now there is pretty good pasture down here in some places. now we were out ~~theday~~ today letting our horses have a little. it is pretty warm here. we are beginning to try our luck fishing now some of the Regiment is out all the time. we catch eels, cat fish, and spots, and sometimes [unclear: toad ]fish but it is rather early yet. tell Steward we have better times now than him and me had at the old warehouse. Give my love to Jane. to Ben, also, my love to Fred. tell old XJ I send my love to him. and I am looking for that woman he said he was going to send me. tell him to hurry up, for I am waiting very patiently. tell old Jimmy I send my love to him. tell old Jimmy that the one he had his eye on says he is no man at all. this is about all. so I must stop writing. Nothing more at present except I remain your Brother

Nathaniel Dunn