Yorktown Va Nov 1^st /63

 

Brother Sam

                        I rec^d  your letter yesterday with Willies photograph. I had most forgoten how Will looked but that picture makes it all straight. He has grown a good deal, if he keeps on he will make a good looking soldier I think Does he ride horseback any. We have moved into barracks during the week. The buildings are poor. we have bunks here. it is better than laying on the ground. We had meeting at 10½ oclock / this A.M. I intended to attend but was on guard yesterday and was not relieved till 10 oclock this morning then had to get something to eat and wash and change clothes which took me till most noon.

 

It pleasant and quite warm The fore part of last week was cold. I guess Caroline had better make me some shirts as those we draw are so small. Mother may knit me one pair of woolen socks I have got two pair that are good yet They will be enough for me this winter I have got money enough yet Next pay day I shall not get as much money as usual / as I have run over my clothing allowance. We are allowed $42 a year for clothing I have had $50 worth. The eight dollars will come out of my next pay.

 

They are giving us extra treatment here The cooks have to make coffee and bring it to us before roll call in the morning (Roll call is at 5½ Oclock) and we all take a swig before going out in the morning air, and before going to bed at night they give us quinine and whiskey. I have got my whiskey in a bottle yet dont know what to do with it. half gill of whiskey is a ration.

 

What does W^m Morse / do in the army. If they go to raising volunteers again it will be a good time for a fellow to get a commission if he has lots of democratic friends. I wonder if Ogden dont want to go in where is he now. I would like to go in with him now I have got the drill pretty well learned If Ogden wanted to go in I could get a commission through Davids influences and Jared Mathsen influence that is if they the people go into it as they did when we came out If I knew where Ogden was I would write him about

 

Enclosed you will find Mr Hoffs picture my bunk mate

 

Your Brother

Cha^s E Reed

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