July 15th, 1862 [Tuesday]. Camp near Harrison’s Landing, Va.
My Dear father:
I wrote to you about two days ago but as I have received no answer I suppose you didn’t receive it.
Since I last wrote, Capt. C. R. Layton has joined his Regiment bringing his company of recruits with him. He looks very well but you must remember that he hasn’t passed through the ordeal of two days retreating and fighting at the same time.
We have fallen back to the James River where we are strongly entrenched and I think if the enemy does not put up batteries before us on the River that we can hold this place till the last.
The President made a visit to this Army a few days ago and it’s reported that he was very well pleased with the troops as well as the position they hold.
I’m getting very tired of this kind of life when for the last three weeks we have had nothing to do as well as nothing fit to eat. We get plenty such as beef, pork and hard bread but such things as that I have got very tired of.
I wish I could get ordered to recruiting service but I suppose that’s an impossibility and I guess I’ll try and be satisfied where I am with the troops, that some day I may see civilized life again.
Why don’t you write oftener? I write about every three or four days and I only receive answers to about one letter of four that I write. Why is it? Don’t you receive them? Or don’t I receive yours? I wish you would make a practice of writing at least twice a week and then I shall be sure to receive one now and then. At least I received a letter from Uncle John’s boys which I answered immediately.
Give my love to all. Your son, W. J. Fisher
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