1862 January 9 Fort Grafton

Army of the Peninsula
Dear Rachel as we have a very rainey day I will write you a few
lines altho I have no news of importance to communicate-- This leaves
me quite well also hoping it may reach you the same. I wrote to
you in christmus but havent received any answer yet
perhaps it was miscaried for I wrote to Sister on the same
day and I received a letter to day stating that she had not
received it--Oh I reckon we are seing the dulest time that
poor mortals ever did we se or her nothing except sometimes
Gen Magruder treats us to a false report that the
yankeys is comeing and has us up all nite waiting for
them but invariariable have to return in the moring to
our camp some times wet and nerly forzen with out
geting a peep at them--we were aroused from our peaseful
slumber last nite by the long role and informed that
the enamy intended landing ner fort Randolph one mile
belowe whar we are stationed also that we must harness
our horses and proceed immediately to that place--
which we did with out delay--in a short time we were on the
ground redy to receive them but we waitid in vain just
as we expected when day broke nothing could be seen
of the yankeys so we had to return to camp very much
disappointed but we have one consolatsion we got in
in time to miss a good weting----
and as I havae no news and thare is not hopes of geting
a furlow I will have to close this uninteresting letter

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pleas give my respects to the family and all inquiring friends
--I hope you are by t his time a advocate of our glorious cause
and will persuade all the young men you can to join
the army I wish you could see how I have changed
I can stand as much exposure and harde work
as any in the company and never flinch the Army
certainly is a fine place for lazy yung men so if
you ar acquainted with any such I hope you will youse
your influence to get them to join. we are all very
lo spirited at this time, we came her expecting to have a
chance to help whip the yankeys but I dont see any
more probibility of a fite now then when we just
landed on the Peninsula------------
Please write as soon as you receive this and
give me all the news we all have given up all hope
of geting home before net sumer, so I intend making
myself as easy as possible--excuse bad writing and
mistakes write soon yours devotedly
John J Perry
member of the A.E.A.
1st R Va Artilery

To Miss R. T. B.

[Rachel T. Bramham]

John J. Perry, Private, Co. H, 1st Virginia Artillery

A.E.A. would be the popular name: Albemarle Everett Artillery

MSS 3437