[blue pencil: 12 Negro women baptized]

Portsmouth Va. Apr 25^th 1863

Sat. Eve.

 

            Sister Caroline

                                                This is the first Saturday that I have failed getting a letter from home in a good while. I expect it will come along tomorrow. It has been a beautiful day clear and warm. We have had some rain for 2 or 3 days. Almeron was here this A.M. he is up on the R. road about three miles from here doing picket duty. If he keeps on he will throw all the Reeds in the shade as far as size is concerned. He weighs 215. I did weigh 197 once but have got down to about 185. I have not got quite over my cough, sticks to me / yet by spells, but am getting better slowly. I think we have got a first rate place here in Portsmouth. I will not have to come on only once in three or four days but the most of them will come on every other day. We will have to come on more often than we did at the old camp but the duty is not as hard there is a good stove (coal) in the guard house & bunks for the boys to sleep. Fighting is still going on at Suffolk. There were about (70) seventy brought down to Norfolk this P.M. who were wounded last night & this morning. Almeron said that the report was that Stonewall Jackson had reinforced Longstreet. We have got a large force at Suffolk now a great many / have gone up since we have been in town.

I was down to Fort Norfolk Wed. a little while. saw Adams he has had the measles is so hoarse now he can hardly speak aloud. Lieut Brown told me that he (Adams) had got to be 2^ond Lieut. I tell you Lieut Brown is about right He is a gentleman and a soldier knows more than the Capt. who is a good fellow I dont think Capt is quite strict enough. We have got a first rate place now & if the boys only behave themselves can keep it, but there are some that cant let whisky alone and I am afraid that they will get us in trouble. Lieut. Brown gave orders last night at roll / to have every man that gets drunk put in the Norfolk jail for ten days. I guess that will sober them. When you send me any more things I want a couple of towels and I guess you may send me those shirts I bought in Geneva and all of my narrow linen collars and a couple of my neck ties Since we have got in the city we want to look pretty slick I can go to church every sunday when not on duty. This week I drew a new coat (roundabout) and pants. I spoke about a revolver in my last but I have concluded that I can get along with out one It seems as if I wanted to send for something else but I think what now—cotton sock—that's it. If you could the things in a box it would / convenient for me to keep my things in. I have got a few dried plums yet. You can send such eatables as you please. I want some butter. dont send any more basins &c than you can help for I dont need them

 

I was rather unfortunate last night, was on duty stayed at the guard house, lay down in the night when I suppose my pocket book fell out of my pocket, did not miss until this morning about nine Oclock looked after it but could not find it. Some body picked it up as I found it back of the guard house this P.M. money gone so I am now penniless (getting so dark I cant see) / I want Sam to send me some if he thinks it will be safe he may put in five dollars. I have seen boys have as much as that come. There was ($6) six dollars in mine when I lost it.

 

Sunday Morning. This morning we were started out by an alarm of fire about 5 Oclock. When I got out three engines were on hand but a few buckets put the fire out.

 

It is real pleasant this morning. We have all had an invitation to go to meeting at Masonic Hall a Union Minister who lives here in town preaches at 10½ Oclock and this P.M. a tract agent from Conn. He has left a lot of tracts & papers to be distributed in this company You may send me those yellow dog skin gloves I left at home. I left them in my over coat pocket I believe

 

The provost Marshal here is Lieut / Struble of Co B. He is a distant relative of Jim & Harry & he is a smart fellow graduated at Genesee College was a member of the Lyceum when he was there Sheriff Swift of Canandaigua is here goes home to day. He has got a son in our company

 

You may send the things as soon as convenient. I dont care so much for the edibles as the other stuff. One of our boys lost his watch yesterday. He was changing his clothes laid his watch on the bed when ready to put it on it was gone. He cant get any clue of it yet. There was a boy who lives here in the place around at the time it was taken but he denies taking it. Been to church heard a very good sermon, seems real good to go to church again. Not a great many out about half soldiers. Found a letter for me from you also a paper. 

 

You want know what a ration is. We never had ours weighed out. Since we have got down here we sit down to table and eat what we want. We are entitled to a half loaf of bread a day and (1½) pound and half of sugar every 10 days We have been out of meat since Sat. Morn. Generally have meat for breakfast & dinner. I would have thought it pretty hard to sit down to bread and coffee once but now I can make a hearty meal of it with a little sugar. Tell John that Will Doolittle is not reduced but is sergeant. I want one new silk hankerchief my old one is worn out. Send the box as soon as you can. Last Sunday I saw 12 wenches babtized (immersed) you never such carrying on as soon as they got in the water they commenced jumping up and down. it took two men to keep them straight. I shall go to church again at five Oclock. I dont know but I forgot something that I want but cant think any thing more. I got a letter from Addie the other day

 

There was nothing on the ground (our camp) when we went there but the hospital which is an old dwelling house. The Reg built the rest. Only three companies left there now. Report says Col. Johnson is to be Military Gov. of the cities of Norfolk & Portsmouth if he does we will stay here some time yet

                                               

Good bye,       Your Brother C. E. Reed

 

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6 oclock P.M. Been to church again heard the Rev. Tiffany from Conn he preached a good sermon tomorrow I go on duty Tues. Eve we are going to have a loyal Union Meeting I dont know but we will furnish some music. Lieut Struble & I guess Lieut Brown will address the meeting           Good night      C

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