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                                 Bedford April 11th 1861

        My Dear Wife -
                        I have just come in after
surveying the yard and garden with Mr Lee, and
have a short letter to write you as it getting
late in the morning. The weather is fine -
after [rain?] pretty constantly since Friday, and
the crops are growing very well after it.
There is so much to be done here, and the
greater part of the business requiring my per-
sonal attention, that you need not expect me
before the last of the month. It may be in my
power to come earlier & if possible I will - without
having too much undone. Get well as soon
as you can & be ready to came back with me.
There is so much in the patient & hopeful
endurance pf pain, [tending?] to its relief that
you will soon be almost yourself again, I
hope.  The family at Aunt Lockies are well,
and the write frequently to enquire after you
and John. The little fellow must be enjoying
his walks very much and will soon begin
to notice when he will become actively
interesting. Give my love to all at Stanley
& a kiss to our baby
                     Your devoted husband
                       Henry Peronneau Brown


(second letter)

                       Yorktown August 16th 1861

     My Dear Wife-
                   You will be surprised to hear
that I forgot my promise to write until coming down
the river yesterday. I reached Richmond on Tuesday, waited
the next day for a passport, and came down here yester
day from West Point in company with your Uncle
Harrison. He is as Gloucester Point and I have spent
the night here in Thompson's tent. He is in Richmond
and I am going up to see him. Mary went to Char-
lottesville yesterday morning, to be with her parents.
Aunt Alice is well. I saw John for a few minutes
he belongs to a company from Caroline. Henry
is on James River with William Southall. Dr.
Braxton was in Richmond yesterday & reported all well
in Hanover & King William. I visited the Almshouse in
Richmond yesterday and saw a great many of the
Northerners who were wounded, besides a few of our
own men. I bought two playthings for John, could
not get the Lye - none in town. Bought 6 pr socks
for John, did not have the sample of silk. Will get the comb.
I left my memorandum book in Lynchburg or at
home, so may forget some of the things you wanted.
You must put down my forgetfulness of writing to no
failure to recollect you, my love to Aunt Lockie & all
a kiss for John, Your devoted husband
                        Henry Peronneau Brown