Can someone help with this letter's text?

[Wraith_3]

This is another interesting letter from my dad's collection that I'm trying to read. I wanted to get some more eyes to try and ID the words I can't make out because this guy's writing it a little hard to read. I'm posting the pictures with what I transcribed under the photos, lack of punctuation is his (not sure if that was common then). I inserted (?) for the words I couldn't read, and butted up to words I wasn't sure about, so hopefully that is clear. I'm not sure what the file limit is here, so they are on my Google photos here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/R4BzXtuHb7ZpPWrx8

Here's the text as I read it:

Camp (?) (?)
April 7th(?) 1863

Dear Anita(?) It is with
the greatest alleviation for me(?)
to drop you a few lines this
Elysian evening. To inform you
that I am well at present
hopeing when these few lines
comes to hand they will find
you enjoying(?) the same (?)
I thought within myself that
I would drop you a few lines
being that I haven't any thing
else to do this evening
To inform you that I am engaging(?)
my self as good as any person
can expect but I would like
to see you all (?) (?) (?)
but as it is I can't tell when I will
have the pleasure of conversing
with you again

PAGE 2
I hope it will not be very long
It would afford me the greatest
pleasure to hear from you
being that I'm far from
the plains that I long to rove
over(?) Oh if we could only
be as we once were Oh what
a glorious and happy nation
this would be
I hope and trust this contest
will be brought to a close this
Summer
I haven't any news of any
importance to communicate
to you at this time (?) (?)
yesterday evening about 5 (?)
the (?) hoisted a
balloon in the direction of
Fredericksburg

Page 3
I (?) (?) object of that
was to see how our forces
have (?) at that point
We are camped 15 miles below
Fredericksburg at present
We shall not stay at this place
much longer
I wish to inform you that
Samuel (?) has got here
at last General Warren gave
him an introduction to the
guard house (?)
he was chained to a (?)
when he arrived
It is thought by our officers
that Warren will be shot(?)
and will be tried by a
(?) court martial

Page 4
(?) (?) (?) stop my
uninteresting(?) letter for this
time Please give my love
and respects to all the girls
on the (?) also if you
see any of the (?) (?)
(?) (?) girls give them my
love and respects Reserve the
greater portion for your self
hopeing I hear from you again(?)
(?) (?) (?)
From your friend
E.A.V. (?)

Tell (?) to keep clear from
this question(?)

Direct to (?) Station
Company K(?) 10th (?) Vol
3rd(?) Brigade
Jacksons Corp

 

[DixieRifles]

Here is what I got so far.


guard house immediate (best that I can determine)

he has chained to a Yankee

Corps court martial


Page 4
Well I must stop my
uninteresting letter for this

on the Hawksbill also if you
see any of the Fruitlandt? or
River Dale girls give them my

hopeing to hear from you (no "again")
is my wish

 

[Tom Elmore]

Here's my take, with additions, corrections or confirmation of your translation, by line:

Camp Skinker's Neck
April 7th, 1863

Dear Miss? It is with
the greatest alleviation for me

you enjoying the same health

To inform you that I am enjoying

to see you all very much

over Oh if we could only

but as we once were [but is crossed out] what

to you at this time more than
yesterday evening about 5 o'clock
the Yankees hoisted a

I ges [guess] thare [their] object of that

was situated at that point

Samuel [Furson or Furron] has got here

guard house immediate
he was chained to a Yankee

that [Furson or Furron] will be shot

corps court martial

uninteresting letter for this

on the Hawksbill also if you
see any of the Fruitland or
River Dale girls give them my

hopeing to hear from you
is my wish

E. A. V.

Direct to Guinea Station
Company K 10th Va. Vol
3rd Brigade
Jacksons Corps

[I could not identify an E. A. V. in the 10th Virginia Infantry. An Elias Vanderlip served in Company D, 10th Virginia Cavalry per service records at Fold3]

 

[J. D. Stevens]

I think we are getting mostly the same transcription for most of this letter.

Dear Anita Miss It is with

you enjoying(?) the same health

To inform you that I am engaging enjoying

to see you all very much

PAGE 2

to you at this time more than (?)
yesterday evening about 5 o clock
the Yankees hoisted a

Page 3
I gess thare object of that
was to see how our forces
have was situated at that point

Samuel Furron has got here

he was chained to a yankee

that Furron will be shot(?)

corps court martial

Page 4
Well I must stop my

see any of the Fruitland or
River Dale girls give them my

hopeing I hear from you again
is my wish

Tell I. A. P. to keep clear from

Direct to Guinee Station
Company K. 10th Va Vol

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Here's my best interpretations of the bits. (Thought the remaining question marks shown didn't require any further interpretation).


Camp Skinkers Neck
April 7th(?) 1863

Dear Mip It is with
the greatest alleviation for me(?)
to drop you a few lines this
Elysian evening. To inform you
that I am well at present
hopeing when these few lines
comes to hand they will find
you enjoying(?) the same health
I thought within myself that
I would drop you a few lines
being that I haven't any thing
else to do this evening
To inform you that I am engaging(?)
my self as good as any person
can expect but I would like
to see you all very much
but as it is I can't tell when I will
have the pleasure of conversing
with you again

PAGE 2
I hope it will not be very long
It would afford me the greatest
pleasure to hear from you
being that I'm far from
the plains that I long to rove
over(?) Oh if we could only
be as we once were oh (delete) what
a glorious and happy nation
this would be
I hope and trust this contest
will be brought to a close this
Summer
I haven't any news of any
importance to communicate
to you at this time more thanat
yesterday evening about oclock
the yankees hoisted a
balloon in the direction of
Fredericksburg

Page 3
I gup thare object of that
was to see how our forces
was distributed at that point
We are camped 15 miles below
Fredericksburg at present
We shall not stay at this place
much longer
I wish to inform you that
Samuel Furron has got here
at last General Warren gave
him an introduction to the
guard house Immediate
he was chained to a yankee
when he arrived
It is thought by our officers
that Furron will be shot(?)
and will be tried by a
Corps court martial

Page 4
Well I must stop my
uninteresting(?) letter for this
time Please give my love
and respects to all the girls
on the Hawksbilt also if you
see any of the Fruitland
or Rivers Dale girls give them my
love and respects Reserve the
greater portion for your self
hopeing I hear from you again
is my wish
From your friend
E.A.V. (?)

Tell J.A.P. to keep clear from
these questions


Direct to Guinea Station
Company K(?) 10th VA Vol
3rd(?) Brigade
Jacksons Corps

 

[6thMichCav]

I lack time to review the whole letter, but I am fairly confident the opening words are:

"Dear Wife"

Compare his large and small w's with the salutation, and it will make sense. It also matches other period greetings.

 

[Wraith_3]

Thanks!

As to who it was sent to, I was trying to see if I could determine that from the text and it does seem like it was a wife or family, but I wasn't sure.