1862 July 7 Harrisons Landing, Va.

Berkley Landing Va
July 7  1862

Dear Mary thiss is the
first time found that I have
had a chance to wright
for some time wee have
had a fights and a long
hard retreet sence I wrote
the rebs was to mutch
for us at 7 pines so wee Left and
come down here wee ar camped in
a swamp and wee ar all sick
and the water is verry bad the worst
that wee have ever had, I went about
a mile and a half to a house to day
and offered 25 cts for one qt of
well water, but could not get it
we ar trying to get a well dug
but it toes along slow think with
a few days rest wee shall call
get smart again but as for
taking Ritchmond thiss summer I
think it is out of the question

[page 2]
for the Rebels have got 3 men
to our one and there is no doubt
of it at all
your letter no 2 came safe to
hand was thankfull to find you
was all well I have ben sickly
for some time can not keep
my vituals down nothing serious
I am in hopes
tell little Bener I thank her for
her letter
Elizies letter was a good one
she has improved verry mutch
since her last tell hr if I can
ever get time I will wright to her
But I am so Buisey now she
must excuse me for the presant
should be glad to see you all but
must be content with wrighting
for the presant
had a letter from farther shall
send it home in this.  shall have
to be short for we are verry

[page 3]
buisey building Rifle pits and
forts I saw Ab the other
day he looks ruged and harty
tell John I shall answer his
letter as soon as I can get a chance
Samuel sends his love
so does your husband B F Hutchinson
so now may the good
Lord Bless and preserve your
lives and finely permitt us to
see each other here on erth
Wright as soon as
you can and wright
all of the news for it is
a dull place way out here
in the Swamp
         
                  Frank

Frank Erskine to his sister Mary Erskine Hutchinson


Frank Erskine and his brother in law Benjamin F. Hutchinson were both in the 7th Massachusetts Infantry


MSS 11338