Portsmouth Va. June 24^th 1863

 

            Dear Brother

                                    Your last came while was on picket. Money all right. It is a little foggy this morning but I guess it will soon pass away. We have had a fine rain

 

The company of M^t Rifles that Almeron belongs to are encamped across the river. Six of the boys are Gen Viele's orderlies Niel Goold Hod Sisson & Oren Percell are among them Almeron is off about ten miles doing picket duty. He was over and took dinner with me last week. He has got to be corporal.

 

I saw Reuben Coy the other day and Will Doolittle Jack Webb came over to / see me yesterday.

 

Sol Sullivan was made corporal last week.

 

The sheep sheared first rate better than I thought they would. What do you ask for the wool. I told Adams what our sheep sheared. He says if he had stayed at home he would have made their sheep sheared 6 pounds. He thinks their buck will outshear our wrinkly one. I have got no news to write. All the niggers that were at Suffolk have come down here and every cellar and garret is full

 

There are going to be lots of black berries here they are beginning to ripen. We have cucumbers now have had new potatoes and beets a / long time Green apples are brought in market now. Yesterday we had apple dumplings for dinner I never felt better than I do now. I think I have got pretty thoroughly acclimated to this country

 

I believe there is going to be celebration here the fourth. Civil government is at work in the cities now. My Times came yesterday almost as soon as yours gets home Have plenty of reading matter here I have been reading Healeys Life of Washington

 

Love to all,

Cha^s E Reed

Co G 148 Regt. N.Y.V.

Portsmouth V^a.

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