The Civil War Letters Suffolk Virginia June 1, 1862

Suffolk June 1st 1862

My Dear Wife

I received your letter of the 24th and i was very glad to hear that you was getting better and gaining your health again. At present i am injoying good health though i am pretty well Played out. since i last wrote we have lost our Captain and 8 more of our company in a skirmish with the rebels about 16 miles from Suffolk where a scouting party of ours had gone  our party consisted of 22 men one captain and one Lieutenant

the captain and 11 men belonged to company E. and the other 11 men and Lieutenant belonged to Co H  among them was tom McClintock  When the party started out i had nine men to Patrol the South quay and Petersburg Roads and the Black Water Road  the Scouting Party took the Black Water Road about nine oclock in the morning  and about 2 oclock in the afternoon i got information as i was Riding about 2 miles from my Picket Station that the Scouting Party was surrounded by two companys of Rebel Cavalry  as soon as i got this information i put my horse into a gallop for headquarters to inform the commander  and he sent the rest of our company and company H. to try to save them  but they was to late  there was five of our company that escaped with there lives. as soon as the Rebels had them surrounded and fired the first Volly our small party returned the fire and then made a dash for the woods  tom McClintock and one of our corporals and a Sergeant put there horses to a dead Run and got the lead of the Rebels and Keeped it for three of four miles when Toms horse gave out  so had to foot it all the way to Suffolk  So Tom is safe and sound but has lost his horse. Young William was not with the Scouting Party so he is all right but our Captain and the rest of the men are either killed or carried of Prisoners of War

Dear Maggie  You speak about being lonesome  i only wish that i could be at home  i think that you would not be so lonesome if i was

As for the Baby or Lizzy as you call her you must not think that i am ashamed of the little Dear though i have never had the Pleasure of seeing the Child  but perhaps if i Should see it i would be as proud of it as you  As for falling in love with a Southern Girl i am far from that  for as long as i have you to love i know no other love  Maggie Dear. i have no news to send you  only what i can see for my self. i suppose that you hear more war news then i do  i have no more to say at present  Give my respects to your mother and Sister Jane and all inquiring Friends

Please remember me to Our little Darling Lizzy and with my very best Love for you i am
Your Affectionate Husband
William Lancaster

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