[blue pencil: Camp at] Portsmouth Va. Apr. 18^th 1863

 

Brother Sam

                        Your letter came to hand to day as usual ever glad to hear from you. I have got about over my cold but cough some yet by spells.

I wrote to Tom the other day & sent you a Norfolk paper so you know that we have moved.

 

We left the old camp tuesday night I was out on picket but was relieved and ordered to start for Portsmouth found the boys in their new quarters. None of them knew anything about going away half an hour before we started.

 

            Our quarters are in a temperance hall. The upper room we use to sleep in and the lower for a dining room. It is lighted / by gas and heated by coal stoves. I never expected quite so much style while in the army. Our duty is Provost most of the time the men will be on every other day. I was on yesterday on patrol. had nine men divided in three reliefs, so there were three men on at a time change every two hours. We were to be all around and see that if every thing is quiet and at night watch for fires. No more than two citizens are allowed to be talking together in the streets at a time. You had ought to see how very polite they are in dispersing when you speak to them. There are a good many sesesh here. Some of the women will even go across the street to keep from walking under the stars / and stripes. I almost need a revolver here but hardly know whether it is best to get one or not. if I thought or knew we were going to stay here all summer I would get one. If I had one I would not have to carry my gun at all. Our quarters were very dirty when we came here but yesterday and to day we have had a lot of wenches & it is all scrubbed out nice now. I have got just as good a bed as I want to sleep on

 

The troops are pouring into Suffolk now. A number of thousand have gone up since we have been down here. I guess if the rebels keep on they will get a good drubbing yet.

 

There are only three companies left in the old camp, three companies are between here & / Suffolk. They will probably come back as soon as this excitement is over. I sent a picture of our camp home last Monday The tent that is marked is the one I have lived in since were came here. The house by the flag staff is the Col's the building that stands back by the tall trees is the hospital It is a first rate picture of the camp but the woods look to near they are back 40 rods I should think. right back of the hospital there is a creek tide runs up cant see it on the picture. I got an Independent with a box of pills in it to day. Tomorrow if I am not on duty I shall go to church

 

I wish you would subscribe for the Times for me for six months to be sent right from the office I can get them the same week they are printed. Direct to Portsmouth, Co G. 148 Reg. N.Y.S.V. (To follow)           

 

Love to all

your Brother, C. E. Reed

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