:...we can shoot them at our leisure".

Wednesday, June 18, 1862, In the Swamps of the Chickahominy.

I should not be forgiven for the last entry since

Quite neglectful was I for not mentioning anything about the contents of those other two packages. They came from the Ladies Aid Society of Lancaster. The letter was signed, Mrs.M.P. Crawford, President.
Lieutenant Williamson gave one of the packages to Holton to hold as he directed his sole attentions to the other one. Poor Holton. He so desperately wanted to tear into the package but had to manfully maintain his composure even though he was about to bust. I think the Lieutenant did that intently.

The Lieutenant took his time opening the paper-wrapped bundle. He said he wanted to save the paper for something. Inside this bundle was finally revealed fourty-four pair of stockings, eighteen shirts of calico, thirty handkerchiefs and two bottles of tomato catsup, protected by the cloths. I was blessed with one shirt and one pair of stockings.

Holton then hastily gave the Lieutenant the bundle he had been holding, with admonitions to be a bit more hurried in opening it. This one had string on it and the Lieutenant saved it as well as the paper. This package, larger of the two, contained three blankets, three short jackets and one dozen towels. These were given to others in the company, nothing to our squad. I am not complaining. I am to the good by one shirt and one pair of stockings. I might have gotton nothing.

We are still unawares of any activity beyond our little section of the line. We hear much but see very little. While on picket duty, we have been startled more than once by eruptions of artillery fire. That does not happen anymore as we are becoming adept at knowing how far away the artillery is. We can tell when it is not close enough to hurt us. We also hear musket fire but always in the distance.

If their McClellan sends his army against the line that our brigade is holding, we will stay where we are and pour fire into them. I do not brag. His problem in this area is not we Hornets nor even our entire brigade but rather the swamps of the Chickahominy. They will slow him and then bog him down to where we can shoot them at our leisure. We could use a few artillery guns here to really send them to that other place. this is a relatively quiet place. He will not attack here.