On board the "Guide" off the Virginia coast July 7. Here I sit in the sun on the hurricane deck with the top of the wheel house for my desk "a writing to you". We left the wharf at Morehead at 12 o'clock yesterday noon & expect to reach Fort Monroe about noon. The sail thus far has been delightful, we call it our 4th of July excursion. I cant say that I enjoyed the afternoon yesterday particularly as I paid the usual tribute to Neptune in the way of a very qual mish feeling in my stomach from which I am now entirely recovered without even casting up accounts or settling the balance. The Tribute Neptune requires of me is much lighter than that he has required of many others. Our accommodations here are first rate. The low coast is plainly in view & two sail vessels are also in sight. If you could look at us all on board you would hardly imagine we were on our way to join a repulsed army. every one seems to be enjoying himself & I believe with hardly an exception all are pleased with the change Some of our best informed officers think we are bound for weldon, N.C. - that we are to report to Genl Parke at Fort Monroe & march from there down to weldon - but I can not agree with them as I can see no object gained in occupying W- unless McClellan is successful before Richmond & this seems hardly probable until he is largely reinforced. I think we are a part of the reinforcement being sent to McC at the present time & though our force is not very large compared with the immense army there assembled yet I believe the presence of Genl Burnside & his heretofor victorious army will greatly strengthen & encourage the whole of that great host & I further believe we shall again be the conquerors. I shall go into battle confident that God will again show forth his great mercy towards us all & will in answer to prayer spare my life. I think I should make but a poor soldier if I had not faith in God's answer to servant prayer. At New Berne when the bullets were flying round me I did not doubt that I should go through in safety for I seemed to be perfectly encased in Aan armor of A bullet proof prayers & if we are called in to action soon again I believe the same thoughts will preserve me. I must give way for dinner. I intended to write Steve Meech yesterday afternoon but lying flat on ones back is not very favorable to a display of penmanship the boat is moving now that I can hardly hold my pencil to the lines. I shall try to send this letter from Fort Monroe - we expected to arrive there about noon but are not in sight yet. half past eleven A.M. Shall not seal this at present & intend to write more. I shall try to write a line or two as often as possible now but depend upon it if you do not get a letter for weeks it will be no reason for anxiousnessfor I may be unable to write & very probably can not send if I do write. 1/2 past 2 P.M. Just anchored off the Fort. Get no news yet. Our officers are very certain we shall go to Weldon.