March 16th /63
	Head Quarters   Camp near
		Newport News, V.a

	Dear Mother and Sister
    I am happy to say the present
    finds me in very good health,
I hope you are well and enjoying 
yourself I recd a letter from you
not long since and was very
glad to hear from you. I also
recd a letter from Mrs. Richardson,
three days since and I have answered
it and shall send it in this to
save postage as I only have two 
left now that is the reason
why I have not written before
I thought I would wait until I got
another letter from you it is about
time for our mail to come and
I shall soon know whether there is
any for me or not. I hope I
shall get one soon at least

I should have written to you yesterday
but I was on detail most all day
unloading a boat so you can see
how I spent my Sabath
	Now Mother when you send
me another paper I wish you would
send me some Camphor Gum I want
it to keep off the creepers, which
are very numerous here. I pulled
off my shirt the other day and
found them out on skirmish
drill and on picket all around
it is impossible to keep clear
of them here as we ware woolen
clothes altogether and they are good
at hiding and we have one boy
in our tent that is to lazy
to hunt them and they are all
through camp some of the 
boys use Camphor Gum and say
they keep clear of them by using 
it so I wish you would send
me some


	Well Mother I cant think of anything
to write today it is all quiet
here in camp. I suppose Col.. 
Fenton and Brush has resigned
I am sorry to loose Brush
he is first Lieutn in one Co
I heard they wer going to start
home tomorrow but dont
know as it is so I am going
to see Brush tonight and see
about it …. now how are you
getting along Mother for wood 
and Provisions money &
tell me all about it I hope I shall
have some money to send you
soon but I cannot tell when
we will be paid we ought to get
it this week well I guess I will 
close you must write soon
keep up good Cheer Dear Mother
    there is brighter days comeing
this from your Loving son B F. Marsh

[Written on the side of Scan 3]
Good Bye                I will send you the ring I spoke of in my [other?] letter
[End]

[Written upside down on top of Scan 3]
you will Please send the letter to
                 Mrs [C?] B Richardson

[End]

		Dear Sister it has
    bin some time since I have
heard from you I hope you have
not given up writing I say some
time well two or three days
seem a long time to me I hope
tomorrows mail will have a letter
for me from you and I trust it
will [whare?] is friend [I am?] not &
have not heard from her in some
time but I hope to soon
you must write about all the
Girles around thare that I know
whare is Susan B. is she married
yet. I suppose she is a most
of the Girls are getting married
around thare. I expect you will
find some one to suit you before
I get Home again How is red white &
Blue now a days)
			You must
remember me your loving
Brother and write often
give my love to all especially the Girls 
of old Fenton Love to you and mother
                    yours truly BF. Marsh