Hammond Hospital

Beaufort N.C. June 29^th 1863

           

My dear Sister:

                                    By the date of this letter you will see that I have changed my quarters, came here last Thursday [faded] I should be much better off here for two or three weeks than with my Co. (which has quit Carolina City) so I came here to enjoy myself for a few days. [remainder of page faded] /

[most of verso faded, relating to the hospital stay]

 

I stated that my Co. had left Carolina City, it has gone to Newbern to garrison a small fort. Since the 9 mos troops left the force at that / place is quite small. The remainder of the Regt is still at C. City but expect to leave any day. a part of it may go [faded] Island. [remainder of page faded] 

 

[most of page faded] Then Georgia writes that she has been to see "my girl". Much obliged to her for letting me know that I really had one for I was not certain about the matter before. The /

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[margin note:  The first part of this letter was written with a very poor pen and you may have hard work to read it. Still on the gain this day, the 30^th. Do you celebrate the coming 4^th?]

 

young lady in question is a fine Miss. I am intimately acquainted with her and many of her friends but as for being desperately enamoured there I am not, what may happen I cannot tell. Georgia and I made a visit there last "4^th" and enjoyed ourselves quite well.

 

Did Mother find Martha getting ready for her approaching marriage as fast as possible! When she gets married just let me know it, it will be either to a fool or a crazy man. How are Mel & Martha prospering? He is an agreeable youth and I should think she might enjoy life.

 

Where is Emily Irish? She was going to write to me but I have not yet rec'd her letter. Is Nellie Young at / Auburn? There is a young man here who has been enquiring after her—Geo's old room-mate at Auburn, I think he said he had seen you. He is not very sick but came here for rest, he wishes to be remembered to George.

 

            Still no satisfactory news from Lee and Hooker! A paper of the 26^th gives no satisfactory account of the state of things in Penn. Lee must be doing an immense amount of damage but if Hooker only defeats him we shall not care for that. I wish our army had not been defeated quite so many times, it would fight much better had it not.

 

You write that you want to enlist. I guess you better remain at home a while longer but I am glad that you have some of Gail Hamilton's spirit. (I don't think much of her "Camilla's Concert" though)

 

I cant spare you on a sheet & a half so must now close. write just as often as you please and I don't care how long the letters are! Love to all, Your brother Charles

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