Norfolk Va July 17^th 1863

 

            Dear Sister

                                    I read your letter about an hour ago. glad to hear from home again.

 

This afternoon I intended to take a sail with one of the boys here with me and as we were going up street we meet Lieut Brown and he joined us. we had a nice sail boat and fellow to manage it for us. we got most ready to start and an old sailor told us it was going to rain so we concluded to postpone the ride till some other time. It is commencing to rain now. We have had it very showery here for a few days and awful warm. I was never healthier in my life than I have been so far this summer 

 

I like my duty here very well it is pretty hard for the boys as they have to be on post 8 hours out of every 24. I think we shall have some more men here before long. The Col said he would get some here as soon as he could. I do not have a great deal to do. put my men post and be down when the boat comes in. I only have to do this when my boys are on The rest of the time I can go where I please.

 

Money goes pretty fast for I can not get along without buying more or less newspapers. Early apples & peaches are in market now and I have to get some of them. You had ought to see what lots of tomatoes are shipped with. New potatoes are only a dollar a barrel here now / But never did care much about potatoes unless they were baked or warmed up. I sent you a paper tuesday that gave an account of that murder and another one yesterday with an account of the funeral. There were thousand out. His trial comes off on monday next. Gen Keyes presides.

 

Last week two boys of our company deserted they were caught yesterday and are now in jail. They did not get out of town. I guess it will go pretty hard with one of them as this is the second time he has deserted.

 

            If I knew we were going to stay here long I would write for a pair of boots. Mother may send one more pair of cotton socks. when they come if she is a mind to I shant want any / more woolen ones in a good while I have got two pair that are pretty good now. I will tell how I want my boots made. I want calf skin I dont care about the uppers being very heavy for I dont think they last any longer here. 3 soled & I want them nailed & rings on the heels. These side walks grind the soles right out. I want the legs to come up to my knees or nearly there Perhaps I may send my measure in my next or soon depend on circumstances. I wrote to Nat last and he has never answered my letter. I will write to him as often as he writes me

 

Bedbugs are plenty here but they dont trouble me yet any more than the fleas. I have not seen Helen Pitts since I came to town must go up and see her before long. There is a tailor in our company who cant read or write I do it for him and he sews on my stripes and does my mending. I have out of envelopes again. I dont find it any trouble at all to write home nothing but a pleasure.  Love to all.

                                                                       

Your affectionate Brother

C. E. Reed

 

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I am afraid the dip will get in our vicinity and willie will have it I hope not

 

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It is about as Sheriff Swift says about drinking whiskey The privates can get along very well. But the officers have a good deal to contend with

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