[blue pencil: Commission]

Camp 148^th N.Y.Vols

Monday Eve. Feb 13^th 1865

 

            Dear Sister

                                    Your letter came to day glad to hear from home I guess your cold weather reaches here. Yesterday the wind blew a gale last night was a pretty cold one for this country. to day has been cold and clear Very quiet along the lines. I expect there will be hard fighting this summer now the peace bubble has burst More troops are leaving here for North Carolina. We may go yet. Tell Mother that Col Murray presented her boy me with a Commission as 1^st Lieut in the 148^th Reg N.Y.V. from Gov. Fenton. to rank from / from Dec 14^th/64. The Col said I was recommended for Capt in Griswolds place, but Lt. Murray got in through home influence before my recommendation got there. I am satisfied as it is, in fact I am proud of it for when I came in the Reg^t I knew no one, and the promotion was won through no ones influence but my own and I never sought it. The worst of it is I have jumped quite a number of 2^d Lieuts as a matter of course they do not like it very well. They will have to blame the Col if any one. The Col said when he gave me the commission that he had the pleasure of presenting to me the compliments of the Adjt. Gov. of the State of N.Y. in the shape / of a commission. Of course I was very gratified. He said "that was what a man got by being up to the scratch and doing his duty". To day I have made my application for a discharge in order that I may be mustered as an officer. Been busy all day nearly. I have not heard from Nat since he left the Army. I will write to him before a great while. I have not seen Gen. Butler's speech at Lowell so I could read it

 

I shall have to go to Norfolk for my rig. I suppose the whole thing will cost from $25 to $100. perhaps more but think not Clothing is very high there, that includes sword and every thing. When I am mustered out I shall get my pay, which / amount to about $112 besides I expect to get my $100 US Bounty which will make enough for me I shall have to buy my living after I am mustered. I do not expect to make much out of it.

 

You need not direct your letters Lieut till you hear I am mustered I guess I am not sorry I did not go in nigger Regt

 

My love to Willie and all the rest including John.

 

Tell him I would like to see that team he drives

           

Write often

                       

Yours Affectionately

Charles

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