Headquarters of 148 Reg. N.Y.Vol.

Camp Folger Norfolk Va. March 21 /63

 

Brother Sam

                                    I have just got your letter and having nothing to do thought I would answer it. We have been having a real snow storm. commenced thursday and continued till last night when it turned to rain It is not storming now but has not cleared off yet.

 

It is so level here that the water does not run off so it is just about shoe deep. I guess this was the equinoctial storm I have seen news of

 

            Our new surgeon has come I guess he is a pretty good man. He is from Seneca Falls the boys from there like him / He has been in the Army before I believe at one of the Washington hospitals. Lieut  Browns wife is here now. Thursday night I went over to a Mr Hall's with him to have a sing. had a good time. A Virginia gal sung "Onward to Richmond" She was a pretty good singer and pretty fair looking.

 

            Every thing remains here as usual with us. I dont know as they will always keep us at this kind of business. As far as I am concerned I like it first rate. enjoy myself better than I ever expected too in the army. I suppose our reg^t is especially suited to this kind of business as we are a pretty steady lot of fellows have got a good reputation. Perhaps when the hot weather comes on I will try and / get a furlough, but I am very well suited at present

 

Tell John not to trade of his mare for a stiff horse I want him to get something smart for I shall want something to drive when I come home I have inquired a little about this lawyer Field among the boys that know him. they say he is a good hand to do business He is a nephew of Cyrus W Field the telegraph man

I got a letter from John A. thursday. Got a Democrat to day. I have read that piece that is marked.

 

During the week the 9^th Army corps have been moving up to Suffolk. One day a train of 107 wagons went past It seems as if thing moved rather slow off west. to day / we got the news of our repulse at Port Hudson. I believe they will have to leave Vicksburg before long. They had a brush at Blackwater the other day we could hear the firing quite plain. Last Sunday Horace Sisson from Suffolk was here Got a letter from Almeron the other day. He is well There are some first rate niggers about here. I wish you had one home. some I know that some of them would work well. A fellow has just come in and says the paymaster has come. I dont know whether he is lying or not. I guess we will get it soon any way

 

I shall have to go on picket or camp guard tomorrow

 

I rather expected to see Addie's photograph in your letter

 

Love to All      Your Brother C—

SOURCES