1862 May 14 Cumberland, Va.

 Cumberland Virginia May 14th 1862
  Dear Father-- I will now set down to write you A few lines to let you
know where I am I arrived at this Point last night after marching fourteen
miles. I am glad that we arrived at this place because George is here & his regiment
so you will know that we will have the pleasure of seeing each other I suppose you
have heard of the skirmish that we had at West point on the seventh in the
Woods we was in all day & kept our positi9on in which we was complimented
bery highly by the General, I received your letter of the 9th this morning I
am well & hope this will find you the same & will close these few lines beca
use you must know that after A march that I must be tired  but at every
place that we stop to I will keep you informed you tell Lizzie that I saw
Geroge this Morning From you son Joseph Leavitt


Letters from Joseph Leavitt of the 5th Maine and his brother George of the 5th New York were copied into a ledger by their father John Leavitt in October 1865 "because they are of value to me and I was fearful that they might get mislaid." Both boys were mortally wounded in the war, George at Second Bull Run, August 30, 1862, and Joseph at Spotsylvania, May 18, 1864.

MSS 66