1862 August 8 near Harrison's Landing

Camp Fifth Maine Near Harrisons Landing Va. August 8/62
Dear Father---I now take this Present opportunity as it is the cool
Part of the day to Answer your letter that Ive received when on Picket it was
dated the first there was one thing pleasant in Camp this morning when we arrived in
from the Pickett it was the meeting of one of the members of the company who we thought
had died from wounds that he received in the back of the neck but instead of being
dead he is alive & in good health he was taken Prisoner & came down from Richmond
day before  yesterday when wee was on Picket & tonight there is A sadder sight that was
the buring two more Members of the Regiment this makes six we have lost by sickness
since we came to James River being more than we have lost at any one time since we have
been in Virginia these two men belong to Co I the Bethel Company & Co F of Portland last
night they cleared out all of the sick that was in the Hospital & have sent them to
Fortress Monroe & other places I was down to the landing yesterday to get the box & it
had not come Genl Slocum has been promoted from a Brigadier General to A Major
& will have command of this corps as Genl Franklins health is poor. I have heard
said that he had been appointed Military Governor of this stat & if it is so I think
it is the right man in the right place Col Jackson has not arrived yet but the
officers expect him to day tell William that I received his last letter & will answer Just
as soon as I can get A chance I have read A great deal about the Soldiers getting rested since they
have been to this River as far as I am concerned I am rested A great deal but I could get more if it
were not for working on breastworks & forts but if Genl McClellan thinks he can make them stronger
by entrenchments i[sic] am wiling because I have every confidence in him & shall whether
he meats with defeat or Victory & I believe that if they will give him the men
that he wants he will enter the so called capital of the Rebels. I was
surprised to read in your letter that there was A box on the way & I
do not want Mother to spend the money that is given to her for me
                           From your Son
                                        Joseph Leavitt