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Randolph County, Va June 18th 1861
Dear Mother . Wife . Brothers . & sisters . Neighbors
Connections & friends

I take the present of droping you a few lines to let you know that we are well at this time hopeing these lines may find you all well We left Newgarden last Monday was three weeks ago. We have traveled some thing near six hundred miles we are among our enemied though we are not in less distance than twenty miles of old Abes armies at phillipa we will land thare or near thar tomorrow that citty is in posession of the Northern troops. I have been informed today that we will march near the place and throw up breastworks so we can have some shelter from the enemy if we should be routed we would try and save our plunder. I expect you think when you get a letter from the very point of war you will get the strate of it but strange as it may seem to you all we can not find out any thing for we are in the union counties and every thing is kept still by each party. We have been expecting an attack from the enemy though have not been yet. Our Regiment has been generally well so far none have been left except Wm. H. Howard whome being sick though not dangerously sick being diarreah they were left about 80 miles behind us S.B. Hurt staid with him to take care of him.

We have traveled in a northern direction for about ten days and the country begins to look like old Russell I never was in a better grass country than this as fine Blue grass as Little River can produce When we first left home we traveled to a warmer country than Russell But we have gotten so far north that it is much colder than Russell I have suffered with cold the two last nights.
If I had to leave home again I would fit better for sleeping than I am fitted now I would have at least 2 good Bed Blankets and one cloak Blanket as it is considerable worse on we the officers as we have to attend to putting on and taking of the sentinels at night and it falls to my lot every other night and I have to be at my post wet or dry and it is a particular point depend on that if an officer or sentinel were caught off there post it would certain death.
We were some what alarmed last night tow men were seen peeping through the fence at us as we were encamped we took them to be spies we fave the alarm to our company and six men set out in full speed after them. C.G. Fletcher at the head of them they were soon over halled by our men an taken an when they were taken they happend to be two of our Bristol Boys who had been our to try to but Buttermilk for supper they stayed our till the guards were out and was afraid of them and they entended laying out all night.

We injoy ourselves as well as could be expected under existing circumstances our Boys amuse them selves By singing every night till nine o'clock then our Capt though a wicked man has some religiuos persons to hold prayer every night. Our Capt. is a man that will do He is like a father to any of his men so far as in his power though a brave and savage man to his enemy he is as tender to his company as a father Our men seem to be brave and the nearer they approach the yankees the less they fear them and it seems as though their sentiment is this which they some times sing No more honor do I crave than to fill a southern soldiers grave Who died for old Va I would like for us to be better fixed to xxxxx than we have been and I think me and Bob will fare betther as we bought us a tent cloth to day which will be great help to us on a wet night.
Bob is in as good health as I ever saw him and it as good Spirit he seems to take Every thing east he says he dont want to go home till peace is make we sent our likeness to you all from Staunton I want you all to take as good care of Becca & Alice as you can for I can not tell when I will get Home Just now I heard the Report of a pistole the people all ran down to see what is the matter the matter is Dave Jones has shot his right fore finger off He says it was an accident But IIIII dont Know.

I would be glad to be at home so that I could be at peace once more though I have set out to defend my country and my rights my wife my mothers family and every thing dear to me I would be glad that peace could be made so that I could return to my quiet home when the hoarse Beatting Drum and the shrill whistle of the fife shall cease there musick and man could unload himself of his wepons which we are compelled to carry from day to day yours truly untill Death

James H. Barrett
A few lines to Rebecca
Dear wife I would be glad to see you and my little Alice I will write to you next week you can turn the pigs ouf of the pen and let them eat grass, salt the property well and let it xxxxx and bring all it will I will come back as soon as I can you can not write to me as you will not know whare to direct your letters
so I must bring my letter to a close so nothing more but remains your affectionat husband J.H. Barrett
This letter is for all my friend

You tell C.A. Smith that Robert Preston was with me this eavning and told me to write to you that if you saw any of them that he was well and well satisfied

Phillip deniston we are counting on you takeing care of our grass and se that nothing goes Kany J H Barrett Fr. C. Nipper
F.C. Nipper says tell pud and Jed Haway for ha(xxxx)