Monday Afternoon

Portsmouth Va June 1^st 1863

 

            Brother Sam.

                                    I rec^d your letter yesterday, the money in it all right. Last friday night we were paid off again for two months. Got the Allotment papers again. Enclosed you will find mine for twenty dollars. It is awful hot and dry here have not had any rain in a good while. Yesterday I was on picket at the old camp every thing looks desolate enough there the houses are torn down, tents taken away. It is a first rate place for picketing the boys can lay around in the shade all day Lots of cows around get all the milk we want to eat. Yesterday was the first time I have milked / any since I left home.

 

Last tuesday I went over and saw Helen Pitts again had a first rate time. Stayed to dinner with the contraband teachers (there are five of them) In the afternoon she came over here with me.

 

She thinks some of leaving Norfolk and going out on one of these confiscated farms that are worked by niggers and teach them. It will not be as hard for her and I guess it will be healthier than in the city. I like her first rate. if she comes back you had better get acquainted with her. I think you done well hiring Jim Blair but not quite as well trading off Jule. Seems to me you did not value her very highly only $50 or $60 I should like to attend the sheep shearing pretty well / I guess that the reason that they have it at Hanchetts is to get something to drink as well as to eat. Some of the officers in our reg^t punish a good deal of whiskey. It will be apt to use some of them up if the do not quit. Last friday night I attended a choir meeting in Newtown. they have a melodeon and sing pretty well. The leader invited me to sing with them sundays but lately I have happened to come on duty Next Sunday if I am off I shall go over. Some good looking girls there. The leader is a union man and in the employ of the government

 

Last thursday was election day Two Union tickets run in the city. Every thing passed off quietly. I get the Times / every Sunday

 

Tues. Morn. It is going to be an awful day. I have just finished weighing out the rations for 16 of us who are boarding out. We are having the measles some in our company. Sol Sullivan has them now, is pretty sick It is about time for them to turn. last night he was light headed. I feel first rate now I wonder if Grant will get whipped at Vicksburg. I shall go down and get a newspaper pretty soon. Where did you plant corn besides the Fort.

 

I guess the oil will start good on the sheep tomorrow if it is as warm there as it is here

 

You do what your mind to with my allotment

Cha^s E Reed

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