My dear Lanty

Your letter
just recd. My advice to you
is –considering that you
will be only a couple of months
in Staunton–not to join
a company likely to be
called out–but to attach
yourself to the Home Guard
and drill assiduously–If
the demand continues. you
can join one of compa
nies in the field-

Orders came today for
the Home Guard–the
Rifle Greys–the artillery
and Robert Saunders Company
to march to Richd. Our com
panies will go in the
morg. There is great
excitement of course
and every one is in a
hurry–Your mother
stands the parting very
well–Charles’ troop is
ordered to hold itself in
readiness to march at
a moments warning.
He has given up all bus-
iness–refuses [?] &
has devoted himself en-
tirely to his duties as
an officer.

Williams company
is also ordered to Rich.

[page 3]
I do hope to see him in
a day or two.

Affly yrs
WM Blackford