Camp Folger Portsmouth Vir.

Dec 24^th 1862

 

            Brother Sam

                                    I rec'^d a letter from John Monday but was not here to get it I have been on a visit to Suffolk went up on the two O'clock train Monday and have just got back left Suffolk 10 A.M.

 

I told Dr Simmons that before he returned me to duty I wanted him to give me a pass. So he gave me one to go up Monday and returned when I got ready. I found the boys all well. Almeron is fat as I ever saw him Niel / Goold has not fell away any. Jack Webb was sick looked pretty hard

 

The boys have pretty hard times there they have to go out on these scouting expedition every few day. There were about 200 out monday Almeron's company among them.

 

They were surprised by about a thousand and they were chased by them 5 miles about as fast as they wanted to go. none were hurt the balls went over their heads. One horse was shot and one fellow had his pantaloons shot through. I have no desire to join the Cavalry. What do you think about the war 

 

Things look rather discourageing now I think. I dont believe that we will ever whip them unless we have different work at the head of affairs. I think that the crossing at Fredericksburg was the biggest blunder of the war. If there had been a vote taken in this Reg. after that I dont believe that there would have been 20 votes against letting the south going by themselves and you may talk with soldiers any where and you will find that they feel about the same. I dont know as there is any prospect of our leaving here. Still if they made an advance from Suffolk we might have to go there 

 

I am well now all the trouble is to get enough to eat for I have a pretty good appetite. Tell John I should like to drive that mare. how old is she. Confidential I thought I would write a few words about Will Doolittle etc. You know the report was before I left home that he was Lieut. or Orderly Sergeant. Almeron says that he was Orderly at first but was reduced one notch and has been reduced more since he is now Commissary Sergeant and Almeron says they think of taking his stripes off he is slack & does not tend to his business. Almeron says that the boys had a paper drawn up the other day petitioning to have him reduced. The boys do not like him. They are a good deal more strict there than they are in our Reg. but I must stop we are going to have two gal. of oysters for Christmas to-morrow Write soon C. E. Reed

 

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Sheriff Swift and lady are here now to see their son. Send me a little money I got a letter from Tom the other day

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