New Bern N.C. Sept. 25^th. 62

 

My dear Sister:

                        When I don't know what to do with myself I take my pen and write to some friend in good old New England, and this is the case to-night. I don't feel like reading nor like making a call any where in the Regt. so I commence a letter to you. I have just finished my supper—cream toast, dough-nuts and tea! During the day I have been at work on the fortifications, every day a party of 25 men is detailed for that purpose and to-day it came my turn. It is not very hard work, have two men to one shovel. Many Negroes are at work on the forts all about the place making the works stronger and stronger every day. We now have things so that a few troops could hold the place against any force that can be brought against it. / We are all feeling a little down-hearted to-night over the news of Rosecrans' defeat. We have not the particulars but learn that he met with a reverse near Atlanta Ga. I have no fears but what he will come out all right in the end but his defeat will revive the drooping spirits of the Rebels both at the North and South.

 

            I see by the N.Y. Herald that the Copperheads have been handsomely defeated in Me., this is good news indeed but nothing more than I expected. I see and hear more of that despisable party every. Their race will be a short one I trust. They have no friends in the Army. Soldiers find much fault with the doings of many of our officials but never say a word in favor of peace 'till the Rebels are subdued. We of this department are having the same easy time, doing plenty of some kinds of work but little of the real. Gen. Foster is at Ft. Monroe the most of the time. Gen. Peck commands the districts / of N.C. I think he never has seen much fighting. I keep everything in readiness to go on an expedition any day. Still I do not think we shall go far 'till reenforced. our force is quite small. After the fall of Charleston I would not be surprised if we moved against Wilmington.

 

I suppose you are in Mass. now and enjoying yourself tip top I hope. You will spend several days with Mary I presume and she will show you all the sights in Boston. My friend Small is in Boston and you may see him at School St Church. He will return to N.O. if he can get the right situation. I can enlist again and get a bounty of four or five hundred dollars but guess I wont do so quite yet.

 

Our cargo of provisions has arrived from N.Y. so we are not living on salt beef and live bread for dinner to-day had a fish hash. I draw soft bread one day and buy it the next / Shall not be obliged to eat the wormy bread as long as we remain here. The crackers toasted are quite good but taken alive they do not go so well! Would you like one for your supper!

 

The weather continues fine and cool, the health of the Regt. has improved a little. In this Co. there are eighteen privates present for duty. Many are sick in their quarters and several in the hospitals. I hear of but few death however. The smallpox is raging among the colored people somewhat but I have heard of no cases among our soldiers.

 

Three from this are at home in New Bedford for a few days and I suppose are having a pleasant time with their friends. Sergt Hillman has been promoted to a 2^d Lieut. in the 2^d Mass. heavy artillery. He was the best Sergt. we had and all will miss him much. Our Capt. & Lieuts. are well and as dignified as ever, very good officers are they but feel their oats a little too much. Once we had good officers all through the Regt. but they have / changed, whiskey has ruined more than one of them. Charley Mitchel is one of the best Lieuts in the Regt., the boys all like him and he don't get drunk. My bunk-mate is a little unwell just now having had a slight touch of the chills, he will be on duty in a day or two I hope. His name may not please you and his face might not at first but he as good a young man as ever lived. Patch is his name, not Sam but John. When I was sick he came to see me often bringing an orange when he could get them. All through the Regt. are to be found fine young men and it is too bad that we have such miserable officers.

 

Mother and the boys will soon be packing my box, of course I shall enjoy it much. that can of sauce will be the best of it all, the apples will not go bad. My shirts will be worth a doz. such as we draw from Govt.

 

            I saw the notice of Clara Bradfords death in the Banner. I remember seeing / her at Westbrook. Her mother must miss her greatly, her father is not living I believe.

 

            I think I shall send this letter to Boston in care of Mary. Ask her if she knew that she owed me a letter. Tell Ada that her cousin Charley would be pleased to receive a letter from her. Little Annie will hardly remember me. She used to be one of the best little girls I ever saw, don't think she has cried an hour in her whole life.

 

            By all means enlist if you can get into a good company but don't take up with a poor one under any consideration whatever! better fight your battles alone than do that. You are not one that can be easily cheated I have reason to believe. Don't hunt for wealth or fine looks but principle and energy! Georgia may tell you lots of wrong stories about me but don't you believe them. Should she wish you to call on "Temple St." you need not be afraid to do so, you would find them "every-day people". They have returned from Me. Have just heard from Ros. he is well. Write often to your brother Charley

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