[fragment]

 

            Because I speak so discouragingly of the affairs of the Nation do not imagine that I sit here with a face as long as a yardstick. I am in for it and am bound to make the most of it. At times I give all hands a good blowing up and again I say "go it" I can stand it as long as you can. Twelve of us are in this tent and we contrive to enjoy life some. Quite often we get letters and papers from home, they drill us so much that we have but little time to brood over our troubles. Evenings we play euchre, chequers &c. We have two fellows that make fun for us all, one is a little foolish and the other quite fussy, when we get turned in for the night we contrive to start them up and for a half hour or more we have "fun alive". A soldiers life is always gay some one says and there is some truth in it, when we can forget the rascality we enjoy ourselves 

 

            The coming struggle before Charleston will be a hard one, the Rebels have Fts. Sumpter & Moultrie and many earth and some iron batteries. We shall send some heavy shot against Ft. Sumpter, 15 inch balls. The mortars are here and will be a great help if well handled. I think it will be something such a fight as we had at N. Orleans, the navy will do the work. [faded, paper fold, stain] at Beaufort but I cannot see the boys. Nary a pass can we get.

 

            I should have written to you several days ago but I have been waiting to hear from Fred. I ordered postage stamps from him a long time ago but they have not yet come. I fear the letter is lost. I am out of stamps and cannot get any on this island. I have to mark my letters "Soldiers Letter" especially when they [faded, stained, paper fold] and if the stamps do not come, shall then Soldier it. I'll make up for all of this when I get the stamps. Govt. is now owing us four months pay and no prospects of any money. I am about broke, sent $16.00 home and 2 to Fred last pay.

 

Remember me to the boys and ask them to write. You must write as often as you can.

 

Direct to Washington D.C.                                        

Your brother            Charles

 

[margin]

 

P.S. Mar. 5^th the box has come and I am living high. C.C.

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