Warrenton City Va, July the 8th AD. 1862

Afectionate Father

I once resume my seat to let you know how we are geting a long. The Boys ar in good health and apear to bee in good Spirits hoping the was may soon (illegible) so we can once more enjoy the meny privileges of our farmer days. the way we selibrated the 4th is we marched 12 miles in the dirt whilst the sun forced its heat upon us (we was on the rod from Manassas here). I suppose you get the newse as soon as we doe so it is usleless for me to repeat it we sent $10.00 in a letter to you some time ago and have not herd wheather you got it or not. (illegible) are very poor in this part of the country except (illegible) and it is very plenty. the gurrillars are very bold here. yesterday a party of the Boys wer out after berrys and got fired at several times. when you rite let me know what you have done with that piece of land.

We doe not expect to stay here long. The talk is that we ar a going to the (illegible) Spring 9 miles from here we ar 12 miles from Warrenton Junction the flame from our (illegible) last spring. I have seen poor folks in the north but come to looke at some of the foks here. I never saw real poverty before. There is hundreds of famileys here that dont now one day whether they can get even a mouthfull to eat the next or not. yet in many instances they lived comfortable before the war brokeout. the late battles at Richmond have created great excitement here and som ar discouraged because Richmond was not taken the first dash others and probly more sensible men say it is working as well as could be expected and ar not afraid of McClellan being defeated. I hope he will sucksead all ar wating very impatiently for the finall result and the captures of richmond. to night the report of the fall of Fort Darling was hastily recieved here. glorious newse if true. write often and all of the newse

M. C. French
Washington D.C.
Hartsuff's Brigade
Matthews Battery