The Civil War Letters Suffolk, Virginia May 19, 1862

Suffolk Virginia May 19th 1862

[i received your letter the day we started  Yours W.L]

My Dear Wife

i write to you to inform you that i am well and in good health and i hope these few lines will find you the same  since i last wrote i have had a pretty Rough time of it  our company and Co H left Camp Hamilton about 1 week ago  When we started from Fortress Monroe it was Raining very hard and the rain kept up all the next day and night  we got to Norfolk about 4 oclock on last wednesday afternoon but we had not landed over 1 hour before we was orderd to go on board of the Steamer and got to Portsmouth the other side of the River from Norfolk. when we got our horses on shore we was march through Portsmouth  the Rain Pouring down and all of us wet to the skin  we marched about two miles out of Portsmouth and it being dark as pitch we halted for the night  we tied our horses the best we could to the fences and we found some old sheds close by in which we sleeped in for the night  my Blanket was Ringing wet  So was my cloths  So i layed down on a board and sleeped sound for i was tired  next morning we got some coffee and then we started off again for some ten miles in the country when we was orderd to go back to Portsmouth where we stoped all night

When next morning our Squadron of Cavalry  the 16th Mass Rigement and two peices of Artillery was ordred to go to Suffolk  the first day we marched about 20 miles and in the afternoon we had more Rain so that where we halted. As usal we had a soft Bed on the wet grass  next on Sunday morning we marched in to the City of Suffolk with out any fighting. there is a been a large Rebel force here but they all left a few days before we arrived  all the people in this town are Rank Rebels espeicely the Girls  they are down on the Yankees  Yuesterday i was sergeant of the Mounted Patrol  all through the city of suffolk i seen nearly all the folks of the town. but the Girls took my attention when ever i was trapsing up and down the streets to see them (smilling or frilling) faces at our Soilders  it is quite funny.

i have no more to say at present  i am in good health and spirits  i dont know how soon we leave here but i will write at every oppertunity  this is the first chance i have had of sending a letter since we started. this is all at Present

From Your Affectionate Husband
William Lancaster

Direct your letters to me as you have always done and i will get them

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