Hammond Hospital

Beaufort N.C. July 11^th 1863

           

Dear Brother:

letter to y                     As ever the mailing of a letter to you brought one of yours, it always happens so, never can answer your letters when first rec'd unless I send two within a few days. Yours of May 22^d reached me the last of June, of course was glad to hear that you were doing well and enjoying good health. I wish you had little brighter scholars, it would be much more interesting for you but as long as you are earning money you must be content.

 

            By my letter of June 24^th you will learn of my sickness. My Co. being ordered to Newbern to garrison a fort I was sent to this hospital to rest and regain my lost strength, came here the same day that I mailed you letter. I find it a good place, always cool in some part of the building while at the table we fare well. I have not much to do with the doctor but we have two excellent ones to look after the sick ones. I am feeling as well as I ever did but am not real strong yet / If I attempt to walk too far I feel it in my back and legs. My appetite is good and before long I hope to be able to join my Co.

 

            This town is like most that I have seen in this state, see nothing that looks like enterprise and yet it is quite a pleasant place. some of Sts have fine shade trees, the houses are all rather old. From my window I have a fine view of the harbor, several gun-boats are at anchor near by, Ft. Macon is just over the way. Here the blackberries are more plenty than they were at C. City. I have all I can eat, find them with a third of a mile of the hospital. I picked about two qts. yester-day in a short time. I contrive to pass the time away quite pleasantly, three others from Co. D. are here. I heard from my Co. yesterday, they like their new place much, are on the banks of the Neuse river so do not want for water. Their tents are all stockaded which gives them more room and plenty of air. The cooks are doing their part well and the Capt. does not work the boys very hard so I guess they will not be in a hurry about leaving the place.

 

            Good war news to-day provided that it is true. Vicksburg is said to be ours with from 15 to 20 thousand prisoners. It's the same old story and will turn out the same as the others I fear. It is also reported that Lee has been defeated with heavy loss but I await the official returns. Should all this prove true I shall think that at last we are to do something. Hooker has lost his head and now Gen. Meade commands the Army of the Potomac, who comes next! / I hope this war will end soon for the folks at home are very anxious to see, they think that they shall see you before many months. will they? hadn't you better remain in Cal. 'till after they draft?

 

            Frank Thompson writes that he hasn't the least desire to enter the army, thinks it's a tough place and it is in spots. The boys of N.C. are generally contented, all acknowledge that it is the best Dept. of them all. I seldom hear a word said against Gen. Foster, all like him much, are not afraid to go where he goes. Frank writes that he has seen about enough of Boston, wants to go West, he visits Buckfield soon. I have not heard from Fred for a long time, guess he is still in the Tip business. He is a little copperheadish and his father quite so.

 

Mr. Kimball's daughter's name is Emma, I think. I mentioned that subject in my last. Georgia wrote me that Martha had got a rich beau and from other sources I heard that she was soon to be married but it has all blown over I guess, wouldn't she make a lovely bosom companion? I'm proud of some of my relations at least! Say Isaac C. for one. If Cordie Coolidge don't know him Mrs. Andrews does. What won't a little money do! She must think a great deal of herself any way. What a hole Buckfield village is, you doubtless have heard of the Charles Atwood and Mrs. Bernard Allen scrape. Hardly know what to think of Frank Chase, I guess that if he had had a little more work to do and had remained at home evenings he would have been full as well off. I have heard more than one hard story about him and begin to think there is some truth in them. He has as good a wife as ever lived, it too bad that she got cheated so. 

 

Letters from home come along quite often, all write. Homer has sent one short letter. I always think of Lucy's letters when I read Willie's. He writes a much better letter than I could when several years older. Geo. is too lazy to write very often but I hear from him now and then. His old room-mate—Farnum—was here when I came here and from what I could get out of him I guess they used to enjoy themselves quite well. they learned their lessons so that they could recite them well and I guess that was about all. I hardly know what will become of him when he comes to go out into the world for himself. I hope he won't follow in the track of the Daggetts. Keep clear of Uncle John, better come home and enlist than have anything to do with him

 

            Sunday 12^th—The inspecting officers will not be here for some time so I will finish your letter.

 

This is one of the warmest days of the season yet where I sit it is quite comfortable.

 

            This morning for breakfast I had a bowl of bread and milk. Once I should have thought it rather hard "feed" but now nothing tastes better than milk. When I first came here the hospital furnished it once a day but now I have to buy all I have, it is worth 15 cts a qt. If they would only pay us I should live on it half of the time but it has been about four months since we rec'd any money and my pile is getting low, have about 50 cts, that I must hold fast to. Even you will have to pay the postage on this letter. Yester-day when I commenced it I expected to receive a little money which is due me but there is no probability of my getting it before the last of the week so I soldier this and send it along.

 

            Have you churches in Cal.? I am going into one this after-noon for the first time for many months, the preacher is a native of this place, pretends to be loyal.

 

            I wonder what they are doing at the old farm house this morning? Think the pudding & beans were good? how would you like a piece of that warm brown bread with a bit of cheese for seasoning? A little fresh butter would not taste bad. We have strong but no fresh.           

 

Remember me to the boys, take good care of yourself and write often to your brother                          

Charles

SOURCES