Camp Folger Hd Quarters 148^th

Near Portsmouth Va. Dec 28/62

 

Dear Sister

                        I rec^d your letter last Friday and was glad to hear from you again I wrote Sam last Wed. How long are my letters generally on the road Your last was only three days on the road. I had a first rate time at Suffolk wrote all about it in Sam's letter. Christmas we bought 2 gals of oysters and some crackers for a christmas dinner we eat them raw stewed and fried. There is no danger of the oyster bed giving out. Down where we were go on picket there / is a bed close by. Last week the boys got 5 quarts for 25 cents by helping open them themselves. can get them any time for 5 or 6 cents a pint which is enough for a meal there is no water in them only what you get in the oyster The crackers cost more than the oysters

 

Mother wants to know how your my barrel hangs out The cookies stoped out about two weeks ago. the butter is about two thirds gone am on the last can of tomatoes. the peaches worked and bothered me considerable they most gone I have eat up my pickled pears have just opened the cherries / those and the pears were the best of any thing have eaten a few of the pickled onions a little of the honey to I shall miss the butter more than any thing else I wish you had sent me more dried fruit. We can stew it just as we want it. have sugar enough, draw a pound and half every ten days I have got considerable ahead the cheese is not all gone yet quite a chunk left. last week we had warm and pleasant weather the warmest christmas I ever saw. had no drill the boys played ball. Col went out and played with them he is a good hand to chase ball. He is very popular in the Reg. looks out for his men / first rate. Lieut Brown is a tip top officer the boys like him first rate. Capt is a good officer but I dont think he is as smart as Brown

 

I wrote to Sam for some money I am most out I dont know when we shall get our pay He may send me two or three dollars in one or more letters

 

The boys in our tent are a good clever lot of fellows and intelligent too but the most of them are pretty rough took good care of me when I was sick. I stayed in my tent when I was sick. Yesterday morning it commenced raining and rained till this morning cleared off now and is pleasant hard time for pickets last night wish I had an india rubber coat and leggins Our com. go on picket to morrow we will have a good day expect to go out

 

Friday was the first day I have been on duty for five weeks. Love to all. am feeling first rate. Your aff. Brother Charlie

 

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Our Chaplain has resigned Sheriff Swift and wife and Dr Simmons wife have been here went away thursday

 

Two of the boys from Cheshire had a barrel come yesterday in it were some chickens so we have had roast chicken and baked potatoes for dinner the cook at the hospital cooked them for us

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