Camp Folger  

Near Portsmouth Va. Jan 8^th

 

            Dear Sister

                                    I received your letter Monday with the money all safe. I went on picket the next day and came yesterday so to day I thought I answer it. We had a pretty good time for picketing although in the morning it was foggy and in P.M. rained some but at sundown it cleared off and we had a good night. To day it is cool but pleasant.

 

We are fixing our tent a little put in a brick floor. our brick did not quite hold but will have to get some more

 

There are 2 brick yards down at Portsmouth that are confiscated / so our brick cost nothing government team to draw them.

 

Col. Johnson has gone home on a furlough of 20 days

 

No news in camp. one of the boys in our tent shot a fox when out on picket

 

I weigh 171 shall soon come up to 180. Adams was up here yesterday he is well.

 

You want to know about our officers. Our Capt. is the most popular one on the ground and Lieut Brown cant be beat. he has not changed a particle when off from duty he visits the boys more than the officers, comes and sings most every day or evening. The fellow here that married Hi Adams wife sister is our company, his name is Tillotson. I guess he is a / pretty fine fellow. he has been very sick in hospital but has got again and is doing light duty

 

Another man died out of the Reg, on the 6^th was sent home in a metalic coffin yesterday We have lost only 8 or 9 men since we left N. York have been very fortunate. there is only one sick in the hospital out of com. now

 

I dont believe that a Reg ever left the state that has been so fortunate in every respect we are lucky in getting this position. I am glad that our armies in the west are having such good success We get the news every day

 

Sam wanted know if I wanted another pair of boots. I have not got the outside soles worn / off yet. This is not much like home to wear out boots not a stone to be found here I did not suffer much yet my barrel has not given out yet butter most gone. you can get things to eat here they cost so. I have got Norfolk paper I am going to send with this I got an Independent yesterday I wish you would send me some pepper in a paper It most time for battalion drill the drum is beating now           

 

Good bye

Yours C E Reed

 

Send me a stick of sealing wax in a newspaper

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