Intrenched Camp        1863

2½ East of Norfolk Va. July 4^th /63

 

            Dear Sister

                                    This is the dryest fourth I have seen in a long while

 

You see we have moved again we were ordered to move Monday P.M. about 4 o clock and at five we were on the road. Only two companies are here G & C. I believe a raid was expected in from this direction and we were to give them the reception if they should come along.

 

Two companies of the 173^rd Penn. drafted men are with us their time is out this month The company of Mounted Rifles that the boys from our vicinity belong to are encamped not more than a half mile from / us. Almeron was here Wednesday he is stationed about ten miles from Norfolk. Will Doolittle let me have his horse to ride to Norfolk with him. The first horseback ride I have had since I have been the service. We are encamped behind a line of breastworks built with a great deal of care by the rebels before they left. I believe Gen Pemberton superintended the erection of them From the bottom of the ditch to the top of the work is about twelve feet. They are about two miles in length. About every twenty rods are angles for cannon From one to five cannon in an angle. There is a section of a battery here with us, two pieces They are placed so as to rake the road if they should come I dont believe there is any / danger of any one coming in and presume we will not stay here a great while as soon as the excitement is over I guess we will be sent back to the city

 

I was on picket last night down side of the river and I passed a most miserable night. The gnats & misquetoes came pretty near not letting me sleep at all I took my blanket and rolled up in and tried to keep both feet and head covered at the same time. But one or the other would stick out. It is the first time I have slept on the ground with out any shelter this year

 

This P.M. I believe Capt Clapp is going to make a prayer and read the Declaration of Independence I wish Lieut Brown was Capt of our company. He is a good deal whiter man than Capt Griswold / and has forgot about as much as Capt ever new. I understand he is to talk to the boys this P.M.

 

I got your letter yesterday money all right. You need not send me any more money at present or as long as I live in the wilderness I dont want any boots yet, my old are pretty good yet and if we should have to march I dont want them to carry I have got a pair of shoes now. There is lots of black berries here have them to eat for dinner supper and breakfast and I should there was enough to last a month. They make dry bread slip down pretty easy. I had for dinner bread berries & ice cream. good enough for any one I cant eat meat this hot weather My shirts dont shrink any yet as I see I shall try and get along till August without new boots. I will write what kind I want then. I have not got the Rural yet Perhaps it may come this P.M. What does Sam think of Gen Meade

                                                                       

Your affect. Brother

C E Reed

 

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Rural came this P.M. I see there is a mistake in the report Lieut Brown made a good speech this P.M. as well as others

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