March 10, 1862  

Suffolk Va 10 March/62

Mr W Sears
Dear Cousin
I am surprised
you have not answered my letter long
since I wrote you about a month
ago and having received no answer up
to this time I have concluded to write
you another in hops that you speedly
answer this one___We are stationed at
this place for the present, but how long
we are to remain here god only knows
there is some talk that we will soon
leave here and mooved back to Muspeeboro
I supose you have long ere this
heard of the victory of the 'Merrimac'
over the Federal fleet, in "hampton
Roads"___ It seems that she sunk the
'Cumberland' and burned the Congress,
two of the largest Federal Steamers,
Communication is now opened
Betwen Richmond and Norfolk and
it is thought that the enemy will
make an attack either on this place
or against Weldon. If the they att-
ack us we will given a ? --wel-
com--How are the the yoing ladies
getting on? I would like exceedingly
much to see some of them__Give
them all my love & best wishes
We have been this day paid off
by the Captain in Confederate bills

As I did not go home when all
the rest of the Boys did__I shall
avail my self of that pleasure sh-
ortly__I expect to get a furlough
in the course of a week or two &
make you all a visit__Do have
four months yet to serve, and may
get into many a bloody fight
before that time expect__I like
it very well, we have tolerable ? fore
just now, beef and and flour bread
but I hope it will improve__
Our company and our Regiment__
enjoys excellent health at present, there is
hardly one on the sick list, and I hope
it will continue good, for we have
suffered greatly in Western Va
Now cousin you must be certain
and write to me soon Direct
your letter to Suffolk Va
11 Reg 14th NCV care Capt
TD Love
I believe I have
no more to write about at
present
I am your devoted cousin
Edward Graham