.NDA.MTE3Mzc
Marine Hospital, May 20 1861.
My dear Fanny;
I have a few minutes to
spare from my duties here, which
I am going to divide between Mary
& yourself & try to get a second or two
left for Aunt Mary Willcox. As you
undoubt know I left home last
Saturday week for Norfolk along
with the 4th Battalion of Volunteers.
Since that time we have been sta-
tioned first about 2 miles beyond
Norfolk to defnd a Powder Magazine
& now at this place within sight of
Nk. with no particular business
except to be ready in case we are
wanted. I do not myself believe
there will be much if any fighting,
in spite of this warlike news every
day. I feel sure that in any event
we shall come out all right.
Thompson I see is in Camp near
[P. 2]
Richmond - Tell [Perocucem?] from
me that he must by no account
think of joining any company. It is
enough that two of us should be in
the field. It is the duty [underlined] of the other one
to stay at home & he is the only pro-
per one of us there to do so. I am
unmarried & of course ought to go.
Thompson was before me in becoming
a soldier & the oldest is the one who
should stay & take care of those who
are left behind. Besides he is a Father
& I have no idea of my nephew's losing
his precept & example.
I trust quiet may be restored soon
enough to enable me to pay you a
visit before the Spring or at any
rate the Summer is gone.
Give my best love to [Perocucem?] & my
love too to Aunt Lockie & all her
family. Good-bye my dear
Fanny. Your attached brother.
J. Willcox Brown
write to me, 4th Battalion, near Norfolk.