1862 August 27 Alexandria, Va.

Alexandria August 27th 1862
Dear Father  We are at this old place again after A three month
absence in the Peninsula & it seems like Home to be here again we started two
weeks ago last Saturday from James River & the first days march which was
six miles to Charles City Cross Roads where this Division was on the reserve on the
seven days Fight & the second day was fourteen miles to the Chickahominy &
the third day was twelve to Williamsburgh & the next day was to Yorktown
which was fourteen miles & the next day was twelve miles to Newport news the distance
hat we traveled in five days was fifty eight miles & from Newport news we took
the Transports & went to Aquia Creek & waited for orders which orders we received from
Alaxandria I will now close by letting you know that we are bound to Culp
epper this Morning I have received three letters from you since we left
Newport news of the 12th & 18th & one from William of the 22d & one Ad
vertiser I get your letters regular but I do not the papers I saw A Mrs Ha
miltons son & Mr Tebbets yesterday & they were looking finely I forgot to say
that this Division was rear guard this time From Your Son Joseph Leavitt

Joseph Leavitt of the 5th Maine as copied after the war by his father John, as a remembrance of him.

MSS 66