1862 June 6 Camp 17th Va Regt Henrico Co near Richmond, Va.

                          Camp 17th Va Regt June 6th  1862
                                     Henrico Co near Richmond

Miss Sue C. Richardson

                                Richard B. Buck handed me a
letter a few days ago, from you to your brother Lieut
Wm Richardson--stating your desire that it should be
forwarded to him if possible by an early Flag of Truce.
I immediately went over to Genl Longstreet's Head
Quarters to consult him about it--to my great
regret, I was informed there was at present a
total cessation of all such intercourse, in view
I presume of existing active hostilities.
                                  I have again had conversation with
Dr Chancellor Surgeon of the 19th Va Regt and Dr Thornhill
Surgeon of 11th Va Regt, Principal and assistant in
charge of your brother at Williamsburg--They are both
most worthy gentlemen as well as most prominent Surgeons
and they assured me separately that they left your
brother doing remarkable well--and that you may
confidently expect him home any day now--as the
enemy promised to parole all our wounded as soon
as they were sufficiently recovered to leave the Hospital
They testify also that the treatment of our wounded
was all we could expect--indeed desire--the enemy
making no distinction between ours and theirs
          The affliction of your brother I know is great

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and I fear almost crushing to you all--I am loth to
intrude upon your sorrow--But indulge me in the utterance
of the wish that he will soon be with you to cheer
and to comfort you--it is true greatly to our regret
he is somewhat marred in his fair proportions--but
we should thankfully remember how much worse it
might have been--We who have been thus far
so mercifully spared are daily exposed to the
hazards incident to war--Two of my men fell
in the battle of "Seven Pines" May 31st--and
others have been severely wounded--which of us
can say he will not be the next--In each
battle I myself was struck in a vital part--but thanks
to a beneficent providence the all was turned aside
almost miraculously in each instance.
               My men bear up nobly under their
many trials--Ever prompt ever ready--their
efficiency far excels any company in the Regt.
God grant us a safe return to our homes
after the independence of our beloved country is
achieved.
           Have you ever tried to correspond directly
with Willie--I would suppose it feasible. Trusting
you may soon meet him in all the vigor of
perfect health--permit me to subscribe myself
very respectfully your friend

R.H. Simpson

[in left hand margin of page 2]
P.S.  shall continue to watch every opportunity to forward your letter.

MSS 3064