On board Steamship Atlantic

Off Fortress Monroe. Oct 27. 1861

           

My last dated the 18^th inst was rather abruptly terminated by orders to pack up which we did and went on board the Steamboat Philadelphia which carried us to the one we are on which is of about 3000 tons burthen and was formerly one of the Collins line from New York to Liverpool.

 

There is not much news except that we arrived here last Tuesday night having sailed early Monday morning. we cannot see much of the Fort except about a half a mile of the wall, a few houses / inside and a few outside the walls we can also see the wharf the Light House the Rip Raps the mouth of James River and the Virginia Shore, besides a lot of steamers ships schooners &c &c

 

I suppose we shall start in a short time for some part of the Southern coast but where of course we dont know

 

Ask George Eaton if he got a letter from me, I wrote him one a few days ago, dont know as he can read it as it was written with a lead pencil as my pen was not handy. tell him and all the rest if they cant write to send papers. I have just rec^d yours of the 23^d and was glad to hear from you / as I suppose we shall start before we have a chance to hear from you again. by the way you never need to wait till there is something interesting in them as a paper from home is always interesting to one who is away, when perhaps they wouldn't look at the paper if they were away from at home

 

            Charles and Augustus Leavitt were on board from Newport News which is about 8 miles up the James River from the Fort; they both looked fat and hearty, Charles was if possible a little darker than of old but I couldn't see any difference in Aug. except perhaps that he was a little fatter than he was. He said he was in a skirmish a / few days ago.

 

I don't think we shall want our tents much this winter as we have lumber on board to make barracks of all fitted and doors all made &c

 

I had a letter from Dan^l Head a few days ago he tho't all his folks were well but had not heard from them lately Haven't heard from Uncle T. yet and don't think I shall soon unless he comes where I am as I don't think I shall go near where he is at present

 

All the Exeter boys are well and but few in the Regt are sick I suppose you see the names of the sick in the different hospitals in the papers occasionally

 

John Head rec^d two letters today so I suppose he has heard the news

 

Direct Co B 3^d Regt NHV.

Via New York City N.Y.

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