Dulwich, Massachusetts
May 25^th, 1775
Dear Sister — & Mother —

We shall in some Minutes go Drilling, but this Letter must inform you that Today a Captain is arrived with several more Companies & Word from the Quartermaster-Serjeant that we are to aid in providing Forage & Bat. I reckon on the Morrow we shall be seizing Stores from the Islands.

Nothing amiss, my Dears, but still just I say that I am your Ev & shall always be your Ev & I shall always love you. That is all.

Shun, I can little credit that but three Months hence, Mr. Porringer & I sat in the Cooperage discussing the Battles of yore: Damsels & Standards & Turrets & Trumpets & Jerusalem Delivered & Joshua sun-burnt before the Gates of Jericho & Christian, huddled with his Pack of Woe, ducking before Apollyon’s fiery Darts, &c. — and now we await Battle, & shall know how the Flesh feels when rent.

There are Times, Shun, when I think real hard on the Fireside & you & Ma & a Volume to mull. I just wished to write you that.

Remember — standing or falling, I am

your humble & affect. Son & Brother,

Ev.