Norfolk Va. July 12^th 1863

9 Oclock P.M.

 

            Brother Sam

                                    I have changed my abode again you see. Last night about 5 Oclock I was detailed with six others and ordered to report to Norfolk to do provost duty. I have just been around and given my men the countersign and as I have got to sit up till between 11 & 12 to wake up the next corporal I thought it would be a good time to answer your letter which I received to day. all right The duty of the men that are with me is to see that no contraband goods are brought in or taken out. They will have to stand 6 hours in 24, 3 in the / day time and three at night All I shall have to do is to put them or see that they are on their posts at eight oclock in the morning & eight at night I can have all the rest of the time to myself. I think it is going to be pretty easy. We have got good quarters and six of us commenced boarding out again. Pay only fifty cents a week besides our rations. Board with a white family but they are stiff secesh. After we came away last night about 10 Oclock, the company got orders to come down they arrived a little after midnight, are quartered in an academy a nice place large yard shade trees &c.

 

Great excitement here yesterday. A citizen Dr Wright shot a Lieut of a colored company as he was marching his men / through the street. As he was coming up the with his com. this Dr. Wright stepped out of a store door drew his pistol and held it behind his back and when the Lieut came opposite fired two shots, the first going in near the corner of the eye and coming out the opposite corner of his mouth and the other going through his shoulder and body. He seized Dr and backed him in the store and got hold of his revolver and fell dead. The Dr. instead of being killed on the spot was arrested and examined and I understand is to have his trial (Court Martial) tomorrow. I dont think there is any danger of his getting clear and I hope before the week is over of having the privilege of seeing him swing by the neck. Lt. Col. Guion says "He shall be hung" I was one of the / squad that marched him to jail last night. We formed a hollow square and placed him in the center. If he had made the first attempt to get away we would have pinned him. I saw the irons put on him and had a good chance to see how he looks. He is about as tall as Joel Grover, a little slimmer hair a little grey also his whiskers He is very firm looking. looks determined. He has a family 9 children I guess he was well off, lived on Main Street. It makes the secesh awful mad to see the niggers soldiers. They fairly grate their teeth. I think some of the secesh think he will clear and if they find out he cannot they may try to rescue him. I only hope they will they will have a good of it.

 

I had heard of Horace's wife's death. I hope that awfull disease wont get up our way. I have see whole fields corn as high as my head here.

 

I wish I was at home to pitch hay for you. We have had lots of good news I hope it will keep coming Direct to C. E. Reed Provost Guard Norfolk Va.

 

I have got most an hour longer to sit up This is a miserable pen. I have lost mine. I hope if you get a new horse you wont get a mate to old Kit but decent looking one How do the colts look

                                               

Love to all. Your Brother C E Reed

 

[margin]          Money all right

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