[blue pencil: Housel dead]

Camp of Sharp Shooters

Nov. 19^th 1864

 

Dear Sister

                        My box came yesterday. I have got the boots on now. I thought the left one was going to be rather small. It came on pretty hard at first but I guess it will be large enough feels easy. it was small in the instep

 

One of the apples was rotted clear through only one was sound. Yesterday I went to City Point with one of our boys who drives an ambulance. I had a pleasant time. Saw Charley Risden, took dinner with him had a first rate dinner Charley is going home Christmas. perhaps some of you will see him. He is doing first rate / has got a good place is under good influence. He is very steady. I guess they like him well. He gets $60 a month and boarded. His time goes on while he is gone. I am glad he is doing well. The Regt. returned thursday night. It went to N.Y. City. I guess they had a pretty hard time as they were off from the boats only 48 hours while gone. Cha^s W. Housel is dead or I heard he was yesterday. He was Ord'ly Serg't of Co "G" He was a fine fellow, always done his duty well and never flinched in a fight. He had been in command of the company for 3 or 4 months and I think would soon have had a commission He was wounded in the knee in the battle of the 27^th of Oct. No one thought of his losing his / life, hardly his leg. I hear that his Mother and Bro. were with him when he died. He thought every thing of his Mother.

 

It is raining to day. rained most all night. I saw Will Doolittle yesterday. He is well and the rest of the boys from that vicinity Their Regt is stationed on the right of the 10^th Corps

 

My boots are just in time for I could not step out of doors hardly without getting my feet wet. Tell Willie I found his candy. It was first rate. I dont think I shall want the shirts before the 1^st of Jan. Sams Graham was all mold. I tried to bite it but could not.

 

I presume the company / will want me to come back now. I have no doubt but I could be orderly if I go back. I may possibly go.

 

Tell Willie to write me what he is studying this winter

           

Love to all.

Your Affc't Bro

Cha^s E Reed

 

Here is some wheat the boys got out of barn between the picket lines. They say there are a number of hundred bushels there

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