Camp 148^th NY Vols.

Near Richmond Va May 14^th 1865

 

            Dear Brother

                                    Your letter written the 8^th came this morning. Glad to hear from home again. It is a beautiful morning Have not been to breakfast yet. Feel first rate bodily. Sherman's Army has been passing through here for two or three days I hear nothing of our moving. If I keep well I had just as lief stay here as any where. I feel just as safe here as I would at home. I have heard of one or two sentinels being shot, none right about here, besides I have got through posting sentinels.

 

My duty is very light only come on once in about 8 days, and then you do not have to leave camp Yesterday a detachment / from the regiment was sent to the Fair Oaks battle field to bury some of our men who fell last October. They returned last night having buried 61 skeletons. Some of them had been partially buried or dirt had been thrown over them as they lay on top of the ground The rain had washed the dirt off and the skeletons lay exposed. Some of them had not been buried at all.

 

6.30 P.M. I commenced this letter before breakfast intending to have it go in to days mail, but have been so busy all the while I have just got a chance to write a little more. I suppose you wonder what I have been doing sunday. I will tell you. After breakfast had company inspection then came an order that Gen Gibbon would inspect the camps and the regiment would turn out for him at 10½ oclock. At 10½ A.M. the regiment turned out after waiting / till 1 P.M. 2½ hours in the hot sun they managed to get along, came in and got some dinner, then the Quartermaster was ready to issue the monthly clothing To draw and issue that to the men took till most 4 P.M. Then the chaplain had religious services which lasted till dress parade time. After parade supper I have eaten and am now finishing my letter It is military to crowd all the work possible in the sabbath. The Chaplain preached very well. I am stopping with him at present. We hire a room on the place where our camp is, give two dollars a month for the use of it. It is better than a tent, got a fire place so when it is cold can keep comfortable. To day has warm almost hot. Strawberries are ripe Had a strawberry shortcake for supper / the other night. I am doing well at present feel better to day than before since I returned Guess we shall have to stay our time out. We have the news to night that Jeff Davis is captured together with part of his cabinet and his gold and he is on the road to Washington. This cant go till 3 oclock to morrow, so I will leave a little space.

 

Mon. Morn. Pleasant. Yesterday Lt. Col Manning Provost Marshall of the Army of the James was in camp He says he thinks we will all be home early in July if not before. I hope we will get home as soon as possible.

 

Give my Respects to Frank Pennell and all inquiring friends. Love to all, Willie in particular.

                                               

Your Brother

Charles E Reed

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