Camp Near City Point Va

June 28^th

           

Dear Parents

                   having nothing to do to pass away time I will scribble a few lines to you although news is scarce so I will hardly be able to fill this large piece of paper which I have torn from some blank morning report papers One of my old acquaintances from the 64^th Regt has just been here to see the Caroline boys his name is Andrew Youngs from He used to live over on the Coddington road near Morris Chapel and belongs to Capt Glennys old company. Glenny has been promoted to Major and is in command of the Reg't which numbers only about fifty men all told and out of Glennys Cd there is only three or four men left. Charley Schutt is wounded and has gone home so Youngs says. Charley you know was in the same Co and they both reenlisted last winter Youngs is now in the Brigade Quartermasters department so he is out of danger for the present I tell you it seems tough to see a Reg't dwindle down like the 64^th has They came out about 800 strong and had about one hundred and fifty recruits since and now only fifty enlisted men left the greater part of them reenlisted for three years more. Gen. Benham of our Brigade is admitted on Gen. Grant's Staff as chief of Engineers. He may be a good engineer but in military matters I dont think he amounts to much although he is called a very plucky man 

 

This forenoon Daniel and I went blackberrying again and got some over two quarts. There is quite a change in the weather from since yesterday for to day the air is quite cool and refreshing. It tried to rain last night but did'nt make it out quite but it must have rained in some other quarter for the air is so much cooler than it has been indeed one can take real solid comfort on such a day as this is. Well it is almost time for our mail to come in camp and I am getting anxious for a letter from home for I have not had any in two or three days Ma do you stand the warm weather this summer any better than common or does it almost wilt you If you had been down here for the last week past, I reckon you would have known what warm weather was. How are you all a going to celebrate the 4^th of July this year As for me I have given up all hopes of seeing Richmond by that time you know I wrote you I calculated to celebrate the fourth there in the Rebel Capital but things is easier said than done you know at least I find it so. I have written a longer letter than I expected to when I commenced but I must tell you one thing more and that is we are a going to have one days ration of S O F T  B R E A D issued to us to night. Hip. Hip. Hurrah. I will close for this time so good bye this from your affectionate son

                                                                                               

Charley to the loved ones at home

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