Sufolk Va June the 22nd 1861
Dear father I take the pesent opportunity
to inform you that William and I are well
hoping these lines may find you all
enjoying the same blessing I have nothing
of importance to write to at present
we arived here on the 11th of [1]
we are encamped within two miles of suffolk
there has been some fighting the first
ridgment of NC volunteers the ridgment
that the buncombe riflemen belongs to
had a fight with the yankeys at
bethel Church about 15 miles from york
town and killed about two hun[???]
[??] of them and only lost one m
kiled & seven wounded it is [?????] [2]
here that there has ben others figts
men has gained the victory in ery instance
but I do not now how true it is
th is so many reports flying that I dont
know when I hear the truth the
[page 2]
the regiment that we belong to is
about nine hundred strong we are all
armed and are still driling and expect
to be ready for battle when we are called
on the third regiment of N C volunteers
are encamped within a mile of us I do
not now how long we will stay here
[????] Penlands people that he is well [3]
all of the swannanoa boys are well except
A J Hais we have plenty to eat and are
getting along finely the water is tolerable
good here the weather is warm here
it we are in about 20 miles of the sea
shore I have heard nothing from you
W P fortune came back only
[????] receved a letter that stated that [4]
[???] was not well I hope you will
[???] as soon as you can as I would
like to hear how you are all getting along
so nothing more at present but remain
your affactionate son J. E. Patton
[page 3]
Since writing the above mr
W C Brown and his croud arrived
Whom we were glad to see I received
a few lines from you and a box of
provision which pleased us very much
we also received several other letters
which afforded us great satisfaction
to hear from you all w[?????] [5]
get in to battle we will remember
our frinds in old buncombe