Yorktown Va Jan 23^rd /63

 

Brother Sam.

                        I received your letter and the book last night We are having fine weather now. I was on guard yesterday. Capt. Daly was Officer of the Day. He said that we were brigaded and the order came yesterday. The Brigade consists of the 25^th Mass. 139^th N.Y. 118^th N.Y. and 148^th N.Y. under command of Brig. Gen. Wistar.

 

Our recruits have not come yet. I understand they will be here before the 1^st of Feb. We have got our barracks about done. Last night two / companies of the 16^th Heavy Artillery came. The regt. is stationed across the river at Gloucester. When they all get here there will 2100 in the Regt.

 

There is not much news here. I have not received the Times during the last three or four weeks.

 

I have not received the Post yet. Perhaps the this weeks paper will be along I think the sucking colt must have been pretty nice, if it was worth $75 If the sorrel gets lame I would sell her for you have got cripples enough now. What is Albert going to do next summer if he has rented his farm to Tom. /

You discourage me a little about going around colored troops. If I thought the war would close next summer I would be contented. And I think Lincoln will do the best he can to close it. If he dont he can bid farewell to the White house. I believe before the summer closes all prisoners will be exchanged on the same grounds. Since Gen Butler has command of all the rebel prisoners, they begin to talk in a different strain Elam C Beman a Sergt. in our Company was examined last June and got his commission. He has had an easier time than we have had. The niggers are not going to do any harder / fighting nor be put in any harder places than the whites They will have to do the digging if there is any to be done I think I will keep on studying and then next spring I can see how things look A man can get out of that if he is sick and here he can not. I believe when the spring campaign opens we will have to go in I dont care much. I am getting tired of this kind of soldiering. I guess a man would stand full as good a chance in active service as he would to stay here during the summer. There are about three acres of soldiers planted just outside of the breastworks.

 

Give my love to Willie

 

            Your Brother

                        Cha^s E Reed

 

[interior margins]

 

The Order about our being Brigaded was read in dress parade to night. We are to remain detached and remain at Yorktown for the present. The remainder will be stationed at W^msburg. Spear's Cavalry came up to night I guess there will be a raid towards Richmond. We cannot go for we are the only troops here now.

SOURCES