Camp Folger Portsmouth Virginia

November 8^th 1862

 

            Dear Brother

                                    I received your letter together with Caroline's yesterday. When I saw them both together the first thought that struck me was that Father was dead. I had been expecting to hear it in every letter but still had hopes that he might better. Dr Simmonds told me sometime ago that I must not be surprised if I heard of it any day now I cant realize here that he is dead it seems as if I could see him around as ever before How lonesome it must be now. When I left home I / thought perhaps that he might not live till I came back if I stayed 3 years, but I little thought that he would be called away so soon. As for me I hope you nor any of the rest will not borrow any trouble about me. I feel just as sure of coming home as I would if I had gone west or any other place to stay for three years. I believe if the President carries his proclamation out that the the war will be ended in less than a year if not I dont believe it will ever be. I am sorry the NYork election went against us so badly—We took a vote in our company 86 votes cast 69 for Wadsworth & 17 for Seymour. We have had the pleasantest kind of weather here until day before yesterday / when it commenced raining. in the night it turned to snow snowed and blew all day yesterday. This morning it snows a little. I have written for some things if they are not sent when you get this I wish you would get me a cheap india rubber blanket. We have to go out on picket and stay 24 hours rain or shine. I suppose that Uncle Willis is at our house now it will make it much pleasanter I should think for you all Tell Caroline she need not send me but one pair of mittens at a time for that is as many as I can take care of at a time. If the box is going to be to large you can leave out some of the things if you can get the blanket (india rubber) / I wish you would for I shall need it very much. I got a letter from Nathaniel yesterday he spoke of Father's illness and said he would go down if it was possible for him to do so I spoke to the Hospital steward about Mrs. Paul's things. They would be very acceptable here. his name is A. Duncan Paul. He used to be in with Fitch Cheney I had a double tooth pulled this week it commenced acheing about noon and I had it pulled before night

 

My health is first rate now. The probability is that we shall stay here all winter the Col. is building him a brick house and every thing acts as if we were going into winter quarters. If you have sent the box let the rubber blanket go I can get one here

 

my Love to all particularly to Mother dont let her borrow a bit of trouble about me for I will come out all straight

How have you got along with your work William.

                                                                                   

Your Brother Charlie

 

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Please write the particulars about Father's death

 

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I have got money enough for the present. My shirts hold out good I can get my washing done here any time for 5 cents apiece ironing and mending including

I got the paper with the map yesterday

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