Boston Aug. 10^th

 

My dear Sister:

                        You see I am still in Boston. I went to "Camp Cameron" yesterday expecting to remain there till Monday when we start for Newbern. But come to go after our equipments there were none to be had, not a sack of straw (the soldiers are in barracks) a blanket, plate to eat our beans from, or dipper to drink from. Our Lieut. found out how things stood but not till after the hour of giving furlows had passed. He went to headquarters and told them hour or no hour his men / men were not going to be used that way the first night, demanded a furlow till Monday and got it. Now I hope not to stop a great while in that place. 'tis a tough country there, all confusion, nothing to do with and a dirty hole, much worse than the camp of an organized Regt. There are a few for this Regt. and a few for that, no commanding officers or anything else.

 

            I am spending the day at my last boarding-place, have not attended church to-day. Having said "Good-by" to most of them did not care about seeing them again. I have just finished marking my clothes, they are all marked C. Chase Buckfield Me. I am glad I bought my own clothing, the government gives / miserable stuff. I bought 4 pr. shirts two very light and two medium, pr. pants, boots, coat, cap, nearly everything except over-coat. others that are going with me did the same. It costs considerable more, Govt. allowing little for them but I think it pays to go in the best shape possible, 40 dollars is nothing beside of health. I have rec'd from Govt. $125, yesterday sent father $100. the 25 together with what little was due me from Co. has nearly all been spent for equipments. I forgot to send Melonas, if father will give her $10. I will send it to him as soon as I get it. The Co. used me mean enough. A year ago the had it in their power and made me agree to work for $350., barely enough to live upon. For some / weeks I have been asking them to pay me fair wages, $400, and that would be much less every thing taken into consideration, than they pay the men at the factory. When we came to settle up I was told that they could not allow me my more and even cheated me out of a vacation which I was entitled to have. I drew out money when I went home and came to square up I had drawn out six dollars which they said they would present to me! I have had so many bills to pay that I am short now but as soon as I get the money I shall return them the money with a note that they are not able to pay it. 'Tis not C. McK & Co. who are mean enough for anybody but the Tip Co. H. M. Bearce Sr. / I had so much work to do that I did not have time to think how mean they were using me at the time. I cannot see Bearce again but to-day I write him a letter (as cool a one as I can feeling as I do). Many of the merchants made their clerks handsome presents when when they enlisted. I asked for nothing of the kind, all I wanted was what was justly due me. I think had it been Bearce alone he would not have been so mean, but he was afraid the others would not like it should he treat me decent. "Such is life". I know they have been well satisfied with my labors, that they have said, not to me but to others.

 

I am quite buisy / to-day packing up, getting little things I need &c. I return to camp in the morning when I hope to get my equipments and in the afternoon to leave for Newbern. Don't wait to hear from me before you write. you know the address Co. D. 23^d.

 

Mr. Small has just called to see me and I will now close. I am tip-top to-day, am expecting to see hard times and if I have my health can put up with most any fare.

                                                                                                           

Your brother

Charles

 

P.S. I sat for a doz. photographs photographs yesterday and four will be sent to you, one for home one for Melona one for / Persis, I promised to send her one, and one for Frank Thompson The others I have had teased out of me here.                         C.C.

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