1          (Look at the nos. or you will not be able to make head or tail of it)

 

I have written one letter to Melona and will again soon. Remember me to Ellen & Persis and all the neighbors

 

Newbern Oct 5^th 1862

 

My dear Sister:

                        A soldier must write just when he can find no matter whether he feels like it or not. I mailed a letter to Howard a day or two ago but I may not find time to write again for a week so will do so to-day. My last letter from home was dated Sept. 13^th more than three weeks ago. You are still a little lazy, if it was not for my Boston friends I should have long faces when the boats come in. You must write as often as you can, don't know how glad I am to get news from home. I rec'd your paper and by that learn that you are well. Frank has gone to Mass. and the war news is better, all for a ct. I wish the war news that is afloat here to-day could prove true but it is too good. the report is that the Rebels are asking for peace on any terms / strike out the "any" and I can believe it but the terms would be such that our government would not accept them. No one would be more pleased at the prospect of peace than the soldiers in the field but we do not want it unless we can have it honorably.

 

            Oct 7^th. I get so little time that I must continue this with the lead pencil at the guardhouse, am to go to my post in about an hour. And first let me take back all I said in the first part of this letter about your being lazy. you certainly do your part if you write every week. It would be pleasant could I receive them in due season but that is not your fault. Your nice long letter I have just rec'd and you don't know how much good it did me even if you did write about hot biscuit and pear preserves, golden apples &c &c. Your letter was all the more interesting because it was about home, the farm, crops and so on, things that I am always glad to have you write about. While walking my beat these fine / nights I think of "the old home" often and of what you are doing at that hour, perhaps some times you are gazing at the same moon and stars that I am. Later in the evening you retire to your easy bed while I continue to pace back & forth every few minutes shouting who comes there? "friend" is the reply "advance friend" and if I find him all right I let him pass on, if not he is marched down to the guardhouse and then put under the lock and key. Occasionally we find one who is not disposed to go at our command, then we call the next guard and the two escort him down to his 4 by 7 room. But to return to your letter, it was plumb full of news. I have read it two or three times and shall as many more.

 

            You and Hattie are enjoying life the same as ever. I was glad to find a word from her. Please give my love to her, tell her I have been looking around for husbands for a number of young ladys in our town, have found one for her, a fine looking darkey, his hair curls splendidly, teeth shine like polished ivory / lips are slightly thick but none to hurt, is about 24 yrs old. I think he will suit her.

 

Are you young people having any gathering this fall? Apple bees and corn huskings will take place this month I believe, wish I could go too.

 

afternoon         I should think Martin might make a very good Lieut Eathan would make a smarter one. Martin will be making a little extra change if he can find a good chance, $90. a month will not satisfy him.

 

            I did not have time to inquire about that Exeter man I hope you find him pleasant company. You need not send me any more stamps at present. I rec'd those you sent me and have bought one lot so have a good supply.

 

            Nothing new has transpired in this depart. since writing my last. The numerous camp rumors are afloat the same as ever yesterday we had taken Richmond, to-day new troops are coming here to take our places and a thousand other wild stories. We have rec'd the cheering news that the Rebels have been defeated in a battle near Corinth. Old Abe seems disposed to do his duty and if Little Mac will push things as he should I think we can sweep rebellion from the land in the course of a year 

 

2

I go in for a variety in this letter. have used all sorts and kinds of paper and red blue and black pencils. I hope you will be able to read it and make sense of it, you know where and how it is written so I make no excuses. I think I will return to the black pencil, the red and blue is a little soft for paper.

 

            Today I had a very good dinner a piece of good salt beef and a sweet potato with butter (slightly strong) on it. some days we call our living quite good and then again when we get hold of a tough piece and a box of wormy bread we rave I tell you. I wish I could have one of Mothers pumpkin pies for my supper. They make a pie here of sweet potatoes which tastes some- / thing like pumpkin. Oysters are plenty but not very cheap and they do not cook them in any kind of shape. how would you like to eat a stew without milk in it? that is the kind they serve here. As this piece of paper is about full and as I get but little sleep to night I will close for to-day. To-night I stand guard from half past twelve to five, am on the second relief, the guard is divided off into three reliefs so we are facing the beat just one third of the time and the two thirds we must spend at the Guardhouse. had about as lief wake the beat as lay around this place but we must be where we can come together at a moments warning. we lay down a part of the night but there is so much confusion that one cannot sleep much. I will now close and take a short sleep. hope I shall dream of home.

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