Yorktown Va Oct 25/63

 

Dear Sister

                        I have just rec^d  your letter to day. glad to hear from you. It is real cold and cloudy to day. the boys are around with overcoats on. Horace Gilbert has just left here for Norfolk he came wednesday stayed here till thursday noon then went to Williamsburg to see the boys. I tried to get a pass and go up with him but I could not until friday Started up Friday P.M. on gov. wagon got there about 5 Oclock. Almeron was out on picket. Will Doolittle was in camp stayed all night with him / I had to come back Sat morn Horace stayed until this morning. he got back just in time to take the boat for Fort Monroe. I just saw Almeron a few minutes before I left He and Sisson tried to get a pass and come down with him but failed.

 

I was very glad to see Horace enjoyed the visit very much wish he could have stayed longer. I tried to get a pass & go to Norfolk with him but could not. Almeron is well They have got things fixed up nicely there got houses built. We are in our tents yet have not fixed them up at all yet. We expect to go in some old barracks here. The boys say they are lousey. I wish they / would let us build new ones

 

Garrison duty is just the guard duty of the Fort, no picketing. We drill every day. The duty here is as easy as any place we have been. There is a boat that runs from Fort Monroe here and returns every day. There is no trouble in sending things here get them just as quick as at Norfolk.

 

I dont know whether to have you make me some more shirts or draw some from the Gov. Mine are getting pretty thin for cold weather, though I guess they will wear some time yet Write what you think about it Mother need borrow no trouble about me. I get enough to eat. can buy oysters & / and butter any time. Butter is 40 cents per pound. No danger but I shall do well enough so long as money lasts If you get my photograph give Horace Gilbert one. He gave me his. He intends to be home at election. Why dont you send Willies. Tell him to send me some walnuts. I wish I had something to send him. I am writing with a new gold pen. I got it in a lottery. it cost me nothing. I acted as agent, wrote one letter and the sent me a large gold pen and silver extension holder the pen is a first rate one. I have got the comforter Mother sent me last winter I dont want any thing sent me till we get settled fairly. I guess Orderly Paddock will be our first Lieut.

 

Adams is not very well. He looks bad

 

Love to all.      Your aff          C.E. Reed

 

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Send me a piece of camphor gum in a paper. We have got a very good Chaplain. An order was read on dress parade making Paddock first Lieut

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