Dear Parents,

I think it is most time that I write to you again. We came on board the Northerner night before last.  We had a pretty good time on Roanoke.   Our Lt. Col. has resigned and the captain of our company, the first and second lieutenant of Company K.  The captain of Company K was discharged for disobeying orders.  The captain of Company D had his leg broken with grape shot.  The captain of Company G has gone home on furlough.  He had a shock or palsy.  He will probably never come back.  Their places have been filled by under officers.  Our new one is Captain Houvey.  Direct your letters in his name.

We hear of great victories every day.   We have heard that Fort Donnelson and Henry are taken and Memphis, Nashville and Savannah but we can’t tell whether it is all true or not.  There has been a report several times that Norfolk is taken but we do not think it is true.  We don’t know where we shall go when we leave here or when we should leave.  There is a great many conjectures about where we shall go.  Burnside has gone to Washington. The 11th and 6th New York and 89th New Jersey are going to stay on the Island .

There has been a great many reports about the battle.  The 9th and 51st New York take credit upon themselves.  The 51st were behind us to support us in the charge.  They pretend to be the first in the fort.  The 9th, Hawkins Zouaves, as soon as they heard us charging rushed in  right  shoulder shift in four ranks.  They made no sort of charge.  I think there has been more wounded than at first reported.  There has been four died of wounds since the battle.  The wounded have gone home on furlough.  They will stay until they are well.

I am well and hope this letter will find you the same.  Direct your letters to Burnside’s Expedition, Second Brigade, 21st Regiment, Company F, Massachusetts Volunteers in care of Captain Houvey.  I don’t think of much more to write.  Send me some reading.  I don’t get none here.

You will see a great many pictures of the Expedition in Frank Leslie's and Harpers Weeklies.   They are exaggerated a great deal.  Write a good big letter and I will write again soon.  Goodbye all for this time.

This from your son,

Henry Brown