In Camp Monday April 7

 

Dear Mother

                        I do not know exactly where I am but I am somewhere in Virginia. We left Washington a week ago last Thursday and got to Fortress Monroe the next day and that night slept on board the steamer at Hampton. We had plenty of room on board coming from Washington That is more than the volunteers had. most of them were crowded so they could not lay down. / I was at Hampton from Saturday till last Friday. That is quite a place only all the houses are burned and it would be a desolate looking place if it was not full of soldiers

 

There is plenty of oysters in the creek and one day Henry Carpenter was getting oysters and came across our tents and found me. I have seen him several times since he is well. he is in Co B. Friday we marched from Hampton to Big Bethel and camped there for the night Saturday we came on here about eight miles farther. We are now on Dr Webber's plantation and where Cornwallas surrendered, if I hear the truth. it is a very good place for a camp and there is more soldiers here than / you ever see together I reckon I was late when we got here Saturday and our teems could not find us and got fast in the mud so that night we had to sleep out in the open air I slept as sound as could be only I was on guard and had to walk post from 12 to 2. it it the first time I have had to stand a regular guard for seven weeks. We could not get any coffee and I missed that more than the tents. Coffee does a soldier more good than anything else. I am going to buy a little coffee and sugar the first time I get a chance and than I can make me some coffee in my dipper any time. We were paid the day we left Washington I would send some money home but dare not trust it from here /

 

Company B has left us and gone somewhere 3 or 4 miles from here. We are not crowded in the least. I do not know how long we will stop here.

There is some log cabins where the rebels were quartered all winter. I do not see where they are going to make a stand there is a great many earth works they have left. You had better direct my next letter to Washington Some of the company are there. I suppose there are some letters for me there. I would like to get them. please send me a dollars worth of postage stamps and I will send the money as soon I get some that will pass North. good bye Jerome          

 

write soon or I may not get it

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