Norfolk Aug 11^th 1863

Tues. 6 O'clock P.M.

 

            Brother Sam.

                                                I rec^d your letter all right this afternoon I have just been to supper got a good boarding place now dont have a very large assortment but every thing is clean and cooked pretty well

 

We are having terrible hot weather now. The sweat just runs right off from me but still I hold my weight pretty well—about 172—only 25 less than I weighed last winter.

 

            I am still doing provost duty. We have got another relief so that now we are four hours on and off twelve / instead of eight as we were before. I am lucky in being out of the company now for they have conasiderable duty besides having to drill this hot weather Last week I was a little unwell my tongue was furred considerable but I took a dose of Ayers Pills and came out all right. feel first rate have all the melons I want every day. I saw Helen Pitts Sunday she is well

Mark Swift says his father is coming down here in the course of a month or two could not you come down at the same time. You could get through without any trouble 

 

We are seizing considerable whiskey now. It is all turn in the street. 85 gal. were turned out at one time 40 at another. that would bring quite a sum at 25 cts a drink the sale they sell it here.

 

I wish you had got my boots made at Kinney's store he made me last year wore first rate Caroline may make me a loaf of cake if she is mind to it would be quite a luxury but I can get along with out it. Fill up the box with what you are mind to I dont think I want any more clothes now. The misquetoes most eat me up here they are awful thick but / they cant keep me awake no how. I got a "Democrat" to day and an Independent last week. Adams is going to try to get a furlough about the 1^st of October and he wants me to try at the same time If I could get one for 20 days I would come home but it wont pay for ten days. I hope the next draft that comes will fetch them all. Seems to me you have got along easier with haying than usual this year. I expect to hear every day that Fort Sumpter is knocked to pieces and Charleston taken.           

 

Love to All

Your Brother

C. E. Reed

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