February the 16 Suffolk, VA ner North Carolina
My dear wife,
I reckon before you get this letter you will hear that we left Richmond. We receive orders to leave last Friday night. We left Richmond yesterday at half past three oclock in the afternoon. We got to Petersburg at dark last night and then had to wait to get the cars together. We I never got the chance to warm my hands and feet one oclock yesterday til this morning. One hour before day we came to Petersburg. That is twenty miles we past through Petersburg & tuck the Petersburg and Norfolk road and & folk road. We followed it sixty miles and then we came the little turn that we now gard. The name you will find in the almanac. You will find the name of the courthouse, the name of the town and county. It is called Nansemond. It is in sight of the Nansemond River. We received orders to cook three days provisions tonight. It is nearly night. Come to a close by I have got a severe cold and have felt sadly all day. Hicks(?) and Faney(?) are both in Richmond sick. You must write soon. You must direct your letters to Suffolk, VA.
Your effectionate Granville
