[blue pencil: Jeff Davis' Fast Day]

Camp Folger March 28 /63

 

Dear Sister

                                    I have just got your letter. ever so glad to hear from you again. should have been disappointed if it had not come to day

 

We are having real April showers to day some thunder it is raining now some. have had pleasant weather this week till to day Have been fixing our company street set trees on each side At the entrance have two bows and wound with evergreen and between them an evergreen shield and in the center of the shield a letter, G. It looks real nice. the trees are cedar pine and holly The boys take a good deal of pride in fixing up and there / is considerable competition among the companies to see which will have the best looking street Peach & cherry trees are in blossom peas up &c. It is very wet here this spring people say unusually so. But few sick in the regt now. the sore throat seems to prevail considerable. I have got it a little now. One more company has gone over to the Fort, so we have only 7 here now. Yesterday was Jeff Davis's day for fasting & prayer They tried to observe it in Norfolk but Gen Viele sent a guard and drove them all out of the churches. Getting pretty strict in the city now if a man is caught out after nine Oclock just shoot him not ask any questions. The commissary department was fired the other night I suppose that is the reason of the strict orders 

 

Lieut Brown's wife is going to start for home next monday.

 

I got a letter from Addie the other day. Tell Willie that he need not feel very bad about Jack for when I get home I will get another dog for him a neat one too. We have a nice cat in our tent got it yesterday Two or three of us were about a mile from camp and we happened to come across it and as rats were getting pretty bold around we thought it would be a good plan to confiscate it It stays very contented

 

I dont know when Willie will see me but I guess it will be a good while yet. My barrel holds out good yet have not used half of the fruit yet. I dont wear those bandages now have not for three months dont believe they do any good as long as a fellow wears woolen shirts. I have drawn me two / new shirts my others have got so small. they are not half worn out They have shrunk and I have grown fat so they go pretty tight I have not had any letter from Nat yet guess I will write to him tomorrow. I guess there is no danger of Longstreet's coming here now since the 9^th army corps has gone to Suffolk

 

I hope the draft will come off am glad I came when I did like it better than I ever expected It is now six months since I enlisted. the paymaster has not made his appearance yet I bought half doz eggs the other day paid 12 cents for them can pay things here but they are awful high I wish I had Willies picture have most forgotten how he looks I have got 7 pictures in my album now room for 5 more am glad you are going to have Caroline &

 

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There is nothing in that about boxes being opened come through every day safe and sound

 

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this summer you will not have any trouble about John's bringing wood I will warrant the wood box full this summer. Yours aff       Charlie

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