Fort Yorktown Va Nov. 8^th /63

 

Dear Sister

                        I rec^d  your letter yesterday on my return from Norfolk.

 

Thursday morn S. M. Thompson of our company died. The company raised money and appointed me to go to Norfolk to see about getting him embalmed and sent to his friends in Canandaigua. I was give two days. He died of fever was not sick but few day. He was rather a slender fellow, used to work in Times office was a printer. I took dinner and tea with / Helen Pitts. found her well and very much engaged in her undertaking. I cant write much this morning for I have got to go on guard at 9 oclock and it is getting towards that now.

 

I see there is a hole in the elbow of my shirt that I took of this morning. So you see I shall want some new ones pretty soon I dont want care much about pickled [?] they mold before I can eat them up. Send what you are a mind to. Butter is the best we can have here for we have good bread and a fellow / wont starve on bread and butter. I have not got only two hankchifs one silk and one cotton I wish I had another silk one. I want a piece of cloth put in to make pockets for my overcoat.

 

Nothing new. Last monday we had marching orders but they were countermanded getting ready We may move any day if we do I will write so to let you know where to send the box. I rec^d an Independent yesterday the first paper I have from home in a long time. I get the Times every week. 

 

I went to Helen Pitt's school. there were about sixty little nigs. didn't it stink though you need not say any thing about it so that it will get around I am feeling first rate had a nice ride to Norfolk It is between 50 & 60 miles from here by water.

 

When I get my new shirts I dont know what to do with these they are to good to throw away and I cant carry them. Mother need not expect me home for I have not applied for a furlough yet. There are so many I am ashamed to and we have to have a good excuse, and present it in writing If you have any important business for me to attend to I can get home

                                                                       

your Brother

  Cha^s E Reed

 

            Love to All                                                    

SOURCES