Charles E. Reed to Samuel P. Reed, 18 October 1863
Yorktown Va Oct 18.1863
 
Brother Sam
                        I have just got a letter from you. glad to hear from you again I have got over my cold nearly and feel pretty well now. We have not moved any since we came here are in our tents now, sleep on the ground. I dont see but that I can sleep as well so as in a bed. Duty is not hard here. I have been on guard once since we came. drill every day, only two hours though No news here. have got nothing to write. I have not been outside the works since we came here but once. had no chance to look around much. It is just as / easy to get a pass to Fort Monroe as it is to go through the gate. I was disappointed in not getting Willie's photograph in your letter. I have about given up coming home, cant get a furlough very well. have got money enough yet, miss my good living here. have to come down to pork and coffee again. I saw Reuben Coy the other day. that Reg. is at Williamsburg. Almeron is well. Coy is dirtiest looking chap I have seen in many a day You need not say any thing about it but the dirt on his neck was considerable thick or else I am mistaken.
 
I suppose John is husking corn now days or soon will be. Give him my respects It seems that Copperheadism is about played out in Penn. & / Ohio. If you only do as well in Nov. it will be all right I wish I could get hold of some of your apples. I guess we will stay here some time cant tell though.
 
Towards night—A colored Regt has just gone come, the 6th U.S.V. They looked well and marched well I wish there were more in the service. I believe they will kill white soldiers on a march.
 
Mother need not borrow any trouble about me, although we are a little nearer the front. I dont think we are in any more danger. Feel in the best of spirits and intend to as long as I remain the army. It is most time for dress parade the boys are eating supper so I will close till tomorrow morning 
 
There is Battery here. Henry Ward Beecher has a son, a Lieut in it. I saw him. He is about as large as Emmet Paul, looks like him I think, has whiskers on the side of his face just the same He is in the Regular Army.
 
Dr Wright is going to be hung next friday. Lieut Adams is not very well, nothing serious though is around all the time. I thought I would finish my letter to night for I think I shall have go on guard tomorrow. It has been beautiful day. I got Carolines letter tuesday. I think Nat's boy must be handsome if it looks as Willie did when he was three months old. But Good night
                                   
Your Brother
C. E. Reed
 
Love to All
14546
DATABASE CONTENT
(14546)DL1926.066Letters1863-10-18

Tags: African Americans, Camp/Lodging, Copperheads, Drilling, Duty, Family, Food, Furloughs, Guard/Sentry Duty, High Morale, Illnesses, Mail, Photographs

People - Records: 2

  • (5118) [writer] ~ Reed, Charles Edward
  • (5119) [recipient] ~ Reed, Samuel P.

Places - Records: 1

  • (127) [origination] ~ Yorktown, York County, Virginia

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SOURCES

Charles E. Reed to Samuel P. Reed, 18 October 1863, DL1926.066, Nau Collection