Dear Parents,

I received your letter last night and was glad to hear from you and to learn that you are all so well. I also received a paper this morning. I am as in good health as usual. The weather is getting pretty warm out here.

There has been more sickness here than there has been there. There is a hospital at Beaufort for those that are recovering from long sickness. It is a very healthy place and they seem generally to recover rapidly. There is several in Newbern city. There has been a large brick house deserted by the inhabitants and converted into a hospital near our camp. It is situated in a very pleasant place. The sick are removed from camp as fast as they are taken ill.

Burnside's Expedition is about to move to Goldsborough. A few regiments have taken Kingston, which was evacuated. We are under marching orders. We don't know how soon we shall start; perhaps tomorrow, perhaps a week. We have got everything ready to start at an hours notice. I don't know whether we shall strike our tents or not. I think we shall. We received orders that we were to go on board the Northerner. It will take us part of the way there. We shall probably leave our knapsacks on board until we get settled. If we have success at Goldsborough, we shall probably go to Raleigh but we can't tell what will take place. Probably there will be a decisive battle struck all at once so they cannot retreat.

If we were at Goldsborough and McClellan should drive them out of Richmond and the whole force should come down upon us at once before McClellan could help us, we should have pretty warm work but I suppose that it is the intention to cut off their retreat.

Perhaps before you get this letter I shall be in another battle. I many not be so fortunate in the next as I have been in the first three but I hope for the best. I am willing to take my chances. You need not worry about me. I shall do my duty and if I fall it will be while doing it. If we have a battle you will hear of it in the papers and I don't think it worthwhile to worry till you know something happened. I will write to you as soon as I can after the battle if we have one" which is doubtful" as there are not supposed to be many troops at Goldsborough but probably we shall have something to do after awhile.

We shall have a chance to celebrate the 4th of July, as we did the 8th of February, 14th of March and the 19th of April. There is nothing of much importance except getting ready to move. A train is running between here and Beaufort. The road bed has been repaired as far as Kingston. A railroad monitor has been built with two guns as pickets.

I heard of the death of Frederick Mills. I think he died at Hatteras Inlet. There has been many a brave fellow died of that disease. We shall be mustered in for pay tomorrow if we don't leave.

I don't think of much more to write. Direct your letters the same as before till something occurs. I have sent several papers without stamps. I suppose they will get there. I will send some more if we stay here long. I thank you for the stamps. I send my love to all of you. Keep a good heart and don't fear for me.

Goodbye to you all,

Henry W. Brown