Yorktown va February 23rd 1862
Dear brother & Sister it is with pleasure that
I embrace this opportunity to drop you a few lines to inform
you that I am well at present hopeing these lines may find
you all in good health I received your kind letter and was
truly glad to hear from you and to hear that you was all well
I have nothing very important to write we have had a bundance
of rain un[t]il the roads are almost impassable about here
w are expecting a fight here shortly perhaps in a day or two
and I dont know how it will terminate but I am in hopes
that we will be able to drive the enemy from the pen
insular bu the race is not always to the swift nor
the battle to the Strong and we are in the hands of the
Lord and he knows all things we are loking for marching
orders every hour and before a week we may be in eternity
James is well and harty there is not a grea del of
Sickness in camps at present
I beg an intrust in your prayers and if on earth
we meet no more let us meet in heaven
write to me soon and let me hear from you
so nothing more at present by remaining yours
affectionately F M Bradley