Provost Marshalls'

Office.

Washington N.C.

 June 8^th 1863

 

Dear Sister                                                                                                     

                        It is long since I have favored you, but there was so little to tell you that I felt justified in so doing. Here I am safe and sound once more in a Southern clime an Aide Camp on Gen. Wilde's Staff an unexpected but highly appreciated honor. This is a beautiful little town so lately the scene of such interesting events and almost always occupied by more or less of Mass. men. There is now an entire Reg. of loyal white men from this state stationed here 

 

            We had a very pleasant sail up here in the little steamer Phoenix (an old Philadelphia river boat plying to Trenton) which was placed at the Gen's disposal by orders from Hdqrs just as long as he pleases to use it.

 

Our Hdqrs are in a fine old mansion at Newberne which does not compare with this place in looks, healthiness of location nor freedom from dust. The water here is good and does not produce diarrhoea only occasionally a little fever and ague or typhoid fever, while the mortality among the whites is very trifling.

 

            Edw's health appears to be A. No. 1. a slight diarrhoea he complained of on my arrival having taken a hasty departure. I could not perceive any effects from his fall on shipboard whatsoever. He has got three as fine saddle horses as are in this department and can ride either of them himself quite handsomely. Col Beechers Reg. the 1^st of his Brigade already numbers over six hundred & we hope to take another hundred down from here in a day or two. They drill admirably and I do not anticipate any more difficulty with them than was had in the / 54^th Mass. my own Regiment which everybody acknowledges to be an entire success. We had a rough passage here from N.York but with my usual luck did not feel any qualms. I left Father and Mother quite smart and in good spirits for them. With any quantity of love I remain your

                                                           

Affec Brother

Walter H.

1^st Lt. 54^th Mass. A.D.C.

 

Direct to Newberne N.C.

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