Norfolk Va Oct 2^ond 1863

Friday Evening

 

            Dear Brother

                                    I rather expected a letter from home to day but as none came and I have got considerable to write I thought I would commence to night. I got the box all right Monday morning it came sunday. The boots & vest both fit and suit first rate. Those pears tasted about as good as any thing I have had hold of in a long time.

 

            Some changes have been made since I last wrote. We have had all sorts of rumors afloat some of them true. On / tuesday the 27^th Conn. which has been in Portsmouth was ordered to relieve our regiment and ours theirs. They simply changed places Co. G. went back in the same old quarters we used to be in when we were there before. This started a rumor that we were going to be relieved, but were not then. Yesterday there was a story around that our Regt was going to Getty's Station which is 6 or 8 miles from Portsmouth towards Suffolk. But this morning they found out that there was really an order for them to go to Yorktown But we were not relieved and the Col. did not want to go without all of his men (there are about 80 of us here) (on P. Guard) / so before noon the order was countermanded by Maj. Gen Foster. The order for us to go was by Gen Getty so we are in Portsmouth yet. Tomorrow morning we expect to be relieved and go back to the Regt. and I dont believe we will stay in Portsmouth a week and should not be surprised if we left tomorrow. This is the reason that I write to night. I am afraid I shall not have time if we move. There are two transports run on the other side.

 

Miss Pitts got back to day I have been up and seen her. Lieut Brown is just alive. they dont think he can live the night out and all day it has been the same / He will be a great loss to the company. I dont think we can get a man to fill his place He always looked out for the interests of the boys & was universally beloved by all. His people were telegraphed to yesterday. I will write how he is in the morning.

 

I sent $20 home last week have not been feeling first rate during the first part of the week, but feel about right to day. I guess I will eat some of Mothers cheese and Caroline's cookies & go to bed. will finish after I find out what we are going to do

 

Sunday Morning—

We are not relieved yet & I guess our Regt. is still in Portsmouth. The 11^th Conn. came down to relieve it yesterday but instead of relieving it they / had to take the boat and have gone up the peninsula themselves. Lieut Brown is still alive and this morning he appears a little better. His father came yesterday. The doctor has said for the last two days that he could not live but I suppose that as long as there is life there is hope. It looks now as if our Reg. would stay in Portsmouth some time.

 

I got your letter yesterday I would hold on to your apples a spell for I believe they will be higher. I know merchants pay $3.50 per barrel in Balt. and I heard them talking yesterday that they would be $4 in less than a week. There are lots of apples coming here / put by Brown of Canandaigua. He has a contract for 20,000 barrels with a firm in Balt. Give my love to Willie. Had a letter yesterday from a Sergt. of our company who is in Elmira. He has seen Joe Sullivan, says it is doubtful about his getting in our Reg as they ship all they get to the army of the Potomac. Love to all

                                                                                   

Yours B—       C. E. Reed

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