Henrico Co May 20 1862
Most Affectionate Wife
I have not received a letter
from you since the twenty of April and I am deter
mined to keep writing until I get one. This leaves
me well and harty, and fatter than I have ben
for five Years or since I was married, I fatten
every Day while I was on the long march, marching
some one hundred and fifty miles, The boys
said it was because I eat so much, but however
here I am about two miles of Richmond, and
I suppose we have some one hundred and eighty
thousand Troops here waiting patiently for
The Yankees, and when they make their apperance
we will give Them a lively time, but if they should
whop us and, we fall back or give up Virginia
you will see Bob coming home on the doubble
quick, for I am determine not to leave you
in the hands of the Yankees. Mr. Jno Hannah
received a letter from home this evening stating
that all of my family were well except Martha
flemin and it was thought She was taking
the Measels. You have no idea how glad I
was to hear from you, but I do not think
it could be a better time to have it, therefore
I am not uneasy about you, Dear Wife I am
happy to say I have had the pleasure of
[page 2]
seeing my Brothers, and I have also heard
of Capt Robertson company they are now in
Petersburg, and from what I understand
they had quite a hard time of it as well
as myself. the Yankees landed on the iland
about an hour after they left We held an
election in our company on the ninetwenth and
they following men were elected, namely Capt
Geo W Abbitt first Leut Wm S Coleman
second William S Hannah third John D
[L?] F Patteson and I have not inform you
that you Cousin John Page is our Adgtent
of our Regt I want you to write me all
the news and how my Cow is and hogs and
also how you garden comes on and how
many Chickens, for I expect to come home
to help you eat hem, You must kiss all the
children for me and I en[???] I will soon [1]
be at home to kiss you give your Ma and [2]
Eliza all my love and you all must not
forget me in your prayes, Give Uncle Jno
my love and tell him to remember me in
his prayes, be sure to let me know whether
you get this letter dated the 20. give Bill my
love and tell him I should like very much
to see him, as it is dark I must close by
saying I remain Your Most Affectionate Husband
Robert Bates
[in right hand margin of page 2]
Mr Hannah is well and harty and also his Brother
[in top margin, upside down on page 1]
Direct your letter to Richmond Com B 46 Regt
Va Vols. care of Col J H Richardson
va[?] S[?] Robert