Ever to Mary thanks for this

 

 July 15^th 1863           

NewBerne N.C.

 

Hdqrs. Brig. Genl. Wild

 

Dear Mother, Brother & Sister                                  

                        I have just obtained a breathing spell for you must know that they have been rushing things in this department in order not to be left behind in the grand race ever since the 1^st day of July. In fact I worked all day on the 4^th superintending the moving of 7 companies of our 1^st N.C. Col^d Vols. about 3 miles for outpost duty. The men behave well and if we only had a larger proportion of white Officers would be all that we could desire As it is Col. Beecher works the few we have almost to death and complains that no more is accomplished. However this will not long be so for white men have at length condescended and even asked to become non commissioned officers with the prospect of promotion. Edw^d has been gone a week to Roanoke & Plymouth taking with him the only / other Staff Officer he has Qr. Mr. Drayton, and I have been the supreme head of affairs here, for the same length of period. I find the responsibility begins to weigh heavy, with an establishment of 7 servants & 4 horses, to say nothing of the amt of writing done daily for I am Acting Adjutant of the Brig. and receive & transmit all orders from Hdqrs. As one of the Lieuts. kindly remarked the other day Wild earns his money if any body does in the Army, but you know my old motto "Better too much than too little work if health only holds out" which it does admirably Fleas and musquitoes are in full blast now (isn't that a pull back?) indeed it is and I rejoice in quite a luxury. Some netting which Alfred Winsor gave me when his Regiment left here. It is another luxury also to have a horse saddled & bridled (without doing it yourself) at a moments notice, which I duly appreciate. Alas my mind wanders to some business matters, which I have neglected, so I must stop hoping to add a line before the steamer sails. Walter H.

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