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Is worried about the late snow, which is proving harmful to their livestock and planting; whooping cough is running rampant among the negores; and they are beginning to get ill as well; relays family news; understands brother Nathaniel V. Watkins has bought a furlough; gives account of brother Dick's (?) charge of a regiment of Yankees; has heard news of friends in the north; refers to the gratifying tobacco prices in the region.

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Comments on making it through the extremely harsh and wet winter, which has put off planting; understands he has received a furlough; they are having problems with the spread of whooping cough.

Scope and Contents Gives a detailed account of brother Dick and his brigade's attack on a Yankee party; this attack was under the command of a General Fitz Lee; refers to a battle at Kelly's Ford, where the Confederate troops did not fare so well; relays news of family and friends, including those who have been wounded and killed; refers to charges made by the Prince Edward Cavalry, and the reactions made by General Jeb Stuart; the family is suffering with colds and the whooping cough; the children, especially...

Scope and Contents Is upset that he has not received a letter from her as of late; fears the problem lies with the postal service; bustle and confusion are present in his quarters; changes with leadership are occurring in camp; the Confederate army is in desperate need of naval officers; has been in the service for a year now and is growing quite tired of army life; desperately wishes war would end; relays news of certain camp members; gives details of recently received packages from Richmond; receives a...

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Due to the weather, the camp, especially the roads, need work; has cut down on his chewing of tobacco at his wife's request; provisions in camp continue to worsen; he refuses to eat any of the meat supplied to the camp; due to the weather and condition of the roads, there is little movement among the armies; have kept the enemy in check during the winter; the cases of diptheria have begun to lessen, and he hopes his family is doing well; planting in the surrounding area has begun.

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Regretfully informs him of the death of their son Charley R. Watkins.

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Relays news of health of family and friends; is concerned about Nannie V. Watkins and her health; the children there are finally getting over the whooping cough, but now suffer with cases of chicken pox and scarlet fever; the planting of their crops has begun; gives details of a cavalry unit from South Carolina which was stationed near their home; speaks, in detail, of a southern sympathizer in Baltimore.

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Was sorry to learn of the death of his son Charley R. Watkins, but is happy to hear that his daughter Minnie H. Watkins was feeling better; gives details of how Nannie V. Watkins is reacting to Charley's death; is grateful that God has spared his own family.

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Was very sorry to hear of Charley R. Watkins's death; the children there have nearly recovered from the whooping cough.

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Informs him that their orders to evacuate the bluff have been cancelled; expresses his regrets at Charley R. Watkins's death; wishes him well and hopes he enjoys his stay at home.

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Attempts desperately to console him; knows how he feels, because her child Lilie (?) also has passed away; hopes the area's health will improve with the coming of warmer weather.

Scope and Contents Was shocked and upset to learn of his son Charley R. Watkins's death; attempts comforting Nathaniel; writes of his service in the cavalry and the state of the Confederate troops; states what a great negative effect the death of General "Stonewall" Jackson has had on the army; gives details of General "J. E. B." Stuart and his attempts to raise a large cavalry force, including his own, the Hampton brigade, and Fitz Lee's brigade; writes of the difficulties in acquiring newspapers; it has been...

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Insists that Nannie come and stay with her; relays news of the family; the children there are getting well again; writes of the religious services held in the area; the crops in the area are suffering from a lack of rain; it's been very cool and dry; it seems to be more difficult acquiring furloughs; is having trouble getting summer cloth woven in time.

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Hopes Nannie V. Watkins will come for a visits and that he will be able to join her; a hailstorm has damaged the wheat and watermelon crops; the corn crops are doing well; the health of the family is generally good; states that she will be sending him provisions.

Scope and Contents Scope and Contents Wishes to visit her sister-in-law Pattie Watkins but thinks it wise to wait until late July or August, when they should be over the whooping cough; their daughter Minnie H. Watkins had again taken ill but has fully recovered; have commenced cutting wheat but the rain is slowing them down; the crops of corn and pumpkin are doing well; refers to soldiers running the blockade and confiscating Yankee provisions; relays news of family and friends; the neighborhood id getting...

Scope and Contents Gives details of his return to camp following his short furlough; travelled with 500 Yankee prisoners which were to be exchanged; refers to the Yankee raids in VIrginia; his duties in camp have increased; the victory at Fredricksburg was both a boost and damaging to the Confederate troops, due to the death of "Old Stonewall" discusses his chances of acquiring another furlough; refers to the dependent condition of their negroes; all the men in camp are in fine spirits; wishes to invest his...

Scope and Contents Scope and Contents Relays family news; gives her reactions to the fall of Vicksburg; refers to the wet and warm weather which kept them from working on the crops; due to the rainy weather, the rivers are impassable; gives details of a company of soldiers and their stay overnight; one of the neighbor's negro woman has run off; have commenced weaving their cotton; are experiencing little ailments, but are generally in good health; wishes he would visit. Including letter from Millie Watkins, to...

Scope and Contents There was a massive transport of Confederate troops to Richmond, due to a new Yankee advancement on the capital; refers to a Yankee attack of a bridge over the Southhanna River; does not speak well of the general in charge at Richmond; fears Richmond may be taken; states that Southerners are much too secure in their thoughts and actions; is hopeful now that Robert E. Lee has entered Pennslyvania; gives details of a North Carolina cavalry unit's stay at their farm; Robert E. Lee's invasion of...

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Relays details of a visit by relatives; recent deaths and illnesses affecting friends and family are discussed; facts concerning the schooling in the area are given; refers to the numerous soldiers killed in "the Battle" (of Gettysburg); relays church news; mentions that state of their vegetable gardens; hopes he is over his chills.

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Is quite worried about the sickness prevailing within her family; distemper; has killed a great number of their cows and oxen; their crops are suffering as much as she assumes they are in North Carolina; refers to the neighbors aiding them with their recent problems; relays news of visits by family and friends.

Scope and Contents Ransom (?) has driven the Yankees from Weldon (?); is becoming increasingly impatient for the end of the war; they have heard gunfire nearby; the war effort is not going well; refers to a gunboat battle on the James River; recounts again how many of their friends were killed in the Battle of Gettysburg; hopes for an exchange for those soldiers who were taken prisoner; believes the South must once again renew their faith in God if the war is to be won; refers to the upcoming "fast day" and...