1861 May 1 Camp Mercer near Fredericksburg

Dear Mother,

Here I am in
good health & spirits
regularly embarked in
a soldiers life. It has
its hardships but I think
they are overballanced by
its pleasures. I am very
much pleased with the
people I meet here &
think F. must be the
most hospitable place
in the world. I went
down to [?] day before yesterday
& got back last night.
I was very much pleased
with my visit & wish I
could have stayed longer.

[page 2]
We are in for a fight
I think & that in the
next six weeks too
but we are sure that
we are right & that is
half the battle. We are
perfectly in the dark as to
our movements but any
body can see that the
collection of troops
at various points all
in striking distance of
Washington can have
but one meaning We
are drilling here at the
rate of five hours a day
so that we may whip
the Yankees secundum
artem. This is the only piece
of paper I can get & am
obliged to use a pencil so
good bye my dear Mother
yours obt.
M L Randolph