Headquarters of 148 Reg N.Y.S.V.

Portsmouth Va. Feb 14^th /63

 

            Dear Sister

                                    I recd. your letter Wed. glad to hear from home again. We are having fine weather here now. people are plowing and fixing their hot beds it seems quite like spring.

 

To day we have nothing to do in camp. it being saturday we have no drill. tomorrow I shall have to go on picket or camp guard. You wrote that Nat did not know where I was now I wrote him two letters and have never rec^d answers to only one of them.

 

I have forgotten how Sam traded his colt for the steers It seems to me that he made / a pretty good trade. I am glad that Sam is getting out of the Phipps affair. How much was Dr Paul's bill. You can tell John there is no danger of his coming to the war for we are going to have the niggers fight now.

Col Johnson got back last Monday Sunday he made a speech to the boys said that he thought we would be home by the 4^th of July. I dont believe it though nor in a year from the 4^th

 

Tell John that Len. P— dont know much about our company there has not been a desertion since we came into Va and I dont believe there is a boy that wants to desert. I wrote that there was a prospect of our going to Baltimore. I guess it was a camp report or rumor.

 

Gen King takes Gen Viele's place / as Military Gov. of Vir. He wants to take us with him but Gen King wont give us up the 19^th Wis. does provost duty in the cities of Vir. Portsmouth he is going to take them with him I hear. if he does I guess we will take their place in the cities. I got Willies money all safe and was going to keep it for seed but some how or other I have lost it.

 

I had a talk with Dr. Carpenter last night. He said that that he made love to Mariette Ashley about six months but the old folks opposed it, said she was a pretty nice girl but had big feet. He is not liked at all by the boys. the greater part of them hate him call him the man killer.

 

I knew Dr Simmons married / a Pennell before I came to to the war. I heard to day that he talked of resigning. hope not, if he does Carpenter will take his place. I have not got the Independent you sent last yet. If Mr Coy comes down to see Reuben he will come up to our camp. I sent my scrip home two weeks ago have you got it yet. I am doing well now. dont know what I am coming to gain every day. weigh 190 pounds now. We have got a daguerreian artist on the ground He is from Phelps Art Co.

 

That Redfield that you wrote about a good while ago is sick His limbs are contracting can not straighten them out His Mother got here yesterday and will try and get a furlough for him. Love to all write soon

                                               

Your Aff. Brother Charlie

 

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Direct to Norfolk instead of Ports. and leave out via Washington for the come by Baltimore

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