Camp near White Oak Church Va

May 30^th 1863

 

Dear Father

                        I received your welcome letter yesterday, and was very glad to hear from you and to hear that all the folks at home are safe and well. There is no news of any importance along the Rappahanock but there is stirring and cheering news from the army of the West under U.S. Grant.

 

            I think that Vicksburg will give up (that is) the force at that place, and we will have gained one of the most decisive victories of the war. We heard that Banks had reinforced Grant, and was at Warrenton. The news from our cavalry in Arkansas was also good, and I think Johnny / will have to give up his possessions west of the Mississippi river.

 

We had a Corps review this AM and it passed off very well indeed, although the weather is rather warm. We had reville at 4, was on line at 5, and got through at about 9 AM. The army of the Potomac is waiting for conscripts now; we have got a great many nine months and two years men to leave the service before two months, and want their places filled up by conscripts. I hope Fred will get a commission soon and whoever writes to him must send my love. I hope I shall hear from mine before long. I have always done my duty and shall always endeavor to.

 

Speaking of furloughs we have not had any whatever in our / Corps since the last move and they say we can not have any, at least we have had no one go home since the move, and it looks as if we were not likely to have. We have only got about thirteen privates in our Co now, and have not all the NonComs births filled up yet. We have only got six Corporals when the number is eight and three Sargents. I will try and get a furlough as soon as they are granted the reg^t.

 

I thank you very kindly for those Carte de visites and they did me a good deal of good I assure you. Remember me to Cousin Frank and ask him to remember me to Fred if he writes. I have not received my papers very regular for the last month or so. I wish you would send me / a couple of books that I would like to read, one is the Quaker Soldier a revolutionary tale the price is 1.00 I believe, and any other interesting story of the revolution would be very acceptable.

 

There is nothing more of interest to write at present and I will close by sending love to Mother Ada Henry and believe me your affectionate

 

son Cha^s E. Leland

 

Sigourney Wales our Adjutant left for Boston yesterday where he expects a commission in the 55^th Col^d

 

I send you a couple of roses I got when on picket last about three days ago.

SOURCES