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There are six letters, 1861-1862, written by Joseph W. Parrish, a Confederate soldier in Richmondand Yorktown, Virginia, to his sister, Mary S. Parrish. In his letter of March 27, 1861, he discusses the city of Richmondin regard to secession, claims a large part of the delegates to be fools, and reveals that "the general impression is that Virginiawill ultimately secede," joining the other southern states, claiming that this would be the signal for war. On April 14, 1861, he mentions that possibility of his services being required in South Carolinaor elsewhere, and refers to the troops in Charlestowncapturing Fort Sumter. From Yorktown, he writes on June 8, 1861, commenting that "it is very doubtful whether I shall return to you all again, the position occupied by our Company is a perilous one and few will escape with life should we have a regular battle..." He mentions the proximity of the enemy, his joining Peyton's Artillery, and their battery of cannons on the brink of the York River. He reveals the hardships that the soldiers must endure, and his concern over the odds in battle. On April 10, 1862, writing from Yorktown, he expresses encouragement over the Confederate victories elsewhere and mentions skirmishes near the Naval Battery. On May 14, 1862, he writes from Richmond, having returned without having fought.