1862 April 15 Henrico County, Va. circa 2 miles from Richmond

Dear Benton:
You probably think
it time for a letter from
me--I would have written
before--but amid all the
confusion of a long & wearisome
march--I found it impossible
to write a satisfactory letter--&
could not have gotten it to Rd
to the office if I had written--we
camped yesterday evening,
after marching sixteen miles &
carrying all our baggage, about
two miles from Richmond
I left home (as well as I remember)
the  13th march--hurried by the
advance of the Yanks.  I came
through Rappahannock (I did not see Roe)
& joined the army at Hazel river Culpeper Co

[page 2]
We marched through that Co into
Orange & camped a few days near
O C House, after staying there a
few days we marched down to
Spotsylvania & then back to
Louisa Ct H--then through
Hanover into Henrico & are
making a halt--dont know where
they will send us next.  I had
to leave home just as the aspens
were budding--the violets springing
up & the yard was beginning to
look so green & pretty.  The day
before I left the sun was shining
brightly--I went to our room--
opened the window & there where
we've spent so many pleasant
days I sat & thought of you.
A few days after I left I heard
that the enemy was there. Pa
wrote me a note (underground R R)
saying that he had conversed with
some of the Northern soldiers

[page 3]
--they say they only want
to whip us into the Union
--a hard piece of work that--
I saw Miss Lucie & Nellie
frequently whilst at home.
Hamp has joined Bowens
Cavalry.  Gibson will stay
at home--at least I know
of nothing to the contrary--Ma
Pa & Carson were well when
I last heard from them, two weeks
ago.  Whilst on the march we
could get no reliable news &
we had consequently to swallow
all kinds of rumors--among
others that Beauregard had
captured Buell's whole
army & that Buell was killed
&c &c ad in.   I dont know
where to tell you to direct
your letters--Richmond I guess
I write more but hardly
think this will reach you

Ro H.

[unidentified correspondent, found with the letters of Richard Bayly Buck]

MSS 3064