Norfolk Va Aug 29^th /63

 

Dear Sister

                        I have just read your letter and I must say you write the best letters I ever read. We have had fine weather this week some showery but cool & comfortable It is raining a little now I have been at work all day checking goods on a schooner that was unloading.

 

Helen Pitts has gone home she left day before yesterday (Thursday) I believe she did not intend to go until next week but got a letter from home which hurried her off. It has been real pleasant to have her here I think she intends returning / I hope she will. I think I could get a furlough home for ten days in the course of a month with out much trouble. I can get home for half price but returning full price. And a free pass from here to Baltimore & returning. I think I could get around for about ($18) eighteen dollars. I could stay at home five days Now will it pay to come home for five days write what you think about it. I would like to have Sam come down here first rate

 

I am sorry those photo could not be taken. Tell Willie he must not pucker his mouth when he has his picture Every body says the war / is going to end with the taking of Charleston I hope so although I am contented here. I shall be glad when I can live at home again I begin to grow fat again I suppose because I eat so many melons. I dont see as it hurts me any more to eat fruit here than it did home. They raise lots of figs here but I dont like them. Lieut Evenden of Bloomfield bet the oysters with last night that there would not be any more large battles after Charleston was taken. He says we will eat them in York State.

 

I have looked for Joe's name among those that were killed at Lawrence but I guess he has escaped. A report came up on the boat this P.M. that Charles / ton is in ashes. I hope it is so

 

Sunday Morning. It is real cool this morning wind in the north I feel a little sick this morning stomach out of order I guess. I have taken some pills guess I shall come out all right. My pills are are all gone again I suppose I can get them here as well as at home. I shall expect my box this week about saturday

 

Capt Griswold is trying to get a furlough to go home and recruit his health I dont know whether he will succeed or not in getting one. What is Gil's P.O. address

Give my respects to John tell him I would like to see him first rate. Love to all

 

Your Aff. Brother

C. E. Reed

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