Camp 148^th N.Y.Vols.

Near Richmond Va May 22^d 1865

 

            Dear Sister

                                    One of the boys brought me your letter with (5) five dollars enclosed before I got up. I had been looking for it now for three or four days. After reading it I got up and washed and am now writing to you before breakfast monday morning. Last night we had a very hard rain with heavy thunder. During last week the weather was very warm. The Chaplain Capt Van Rensselaer Lt Cook and myself had made arrangements to visit the Cold Harbor Battle field 14 miles from here to day Col Murray said he was going too. Shall have to put off now on account of the mud. It will be a splendid ride.

 

Last week a member of our Brass Band was drowned while bathing in a little mill pond. He was a good swimmer and must have taken / with a cramp. You see you cant tell anything about the papers, for we are still near Richmond in the same place we stopped when we first came. I hope we will stay here till they get ready to send us home and then put us on transports. I have no desire to march to Washington. I am feeling quite well, but my bowels keep most to loose. Tell me what to take. I guess every body has quit writing to me as the letters I receive are few and far between. I expect John C Berry a member of Co "G" will go home on a furlough this week. He lives in the town of Canandaigua. I dont like this sending money in letters. Now he is perfectly trustworthy and if you could get some money to him when he comes back he could bring it right to me.

 

If you could manage to get to Canandaigua and leave the money with Dr Simmons he could get of him and bring it to me. I think $100 would last me my time out. You can do as you think best about sending some by him. Any amt. you choose under $100 or you can keep sending by mail. I will write you when he starts for home. his furlough will be for twenty days so you will have time to consider the matter & get the money. I am earning between 140 & 150 a month now, and if I get 3 months pay proper it will add another dollar on each day. Berry is perfectly trustworthy. I have been acquainted with him since I came in the service and never new him guilty of a mean trick. There is no prospect of getting pay until we are mustered out and I think officers will have to wait some time then till they can get certificates of nonindebtedness to the U.S. Strawberries and cherries are ripe. We have had 7 or 8 strawberry shortcakes. Enclosed find a pocket piece for Willie. Love to all                  

 

Your Affct. Brother

Charles E Reed

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