20 July 1861, near Manassas, Va.

The Yankee army has been approaching us for days, and is now very close
by. A battle looks certain. We have been kept well informed of the enemy's
moves by neighbors and southerners in Washington; we have even gotten some
from that city's newspapers, which are available here as if there were no 
war at all.

I am with Colonel Evans's troops near the left of our line, overlooking a
stone bridge across Bull Run, a bridge that carries the main road from
Alexandria to Warrenton.  The Yankees are in great strength and outnumber us
badly, it is said.  But we are expecting the arrival of General Johnston's
forces from Winchester on the railroad!  I've never heard of such a large
movement of men and equipment on a railroad before, certainly never in a war. 
They will reinforce us and help even the odds.  And we are constantly
informed by telegraph from Richmond and elsewhere. 

Some of the men are not worried about the Yankee's strength. They say
one Southern man can whip 10 Yankees. 

But I need to end this note for now, because I can hear some firing off
to the east. Saltron snorted looked towards the distant crackle of the gun
fire. Col. Evans will be looking for me.

I pray to Almighty God for a victory, and for His love and protection of
our soldiers and their families at home.