Suffolk Va. November 18, 1862

 

My Dear friend Anderson,

                                    Your kind and very welcome letter of the 7^th inst, was duly received, and yesterday I went to Norfolk and got the boxes. Everything came through in good shape and I am every way satisfied with the excellent way in which you executed my commission, and I thank you many times for your kindness. Please to thank Mrs. Tucker for her very nice pies, which were duly appreciated, and I shall eat off the plate, as long as I can keep it without breaking. Tell Alice I shall think of the night that Mr & Mrs. Dr. Colby came to the hotel, and it stormed so hard, when Mr. Bowles treated &c, as I eat her sardines. Those and the crackers are both strangers here, but none the less welcome, and I thank her for the interest she showed in my welfare, by thus remembering me. The package for Charley Marston, I gave him last night. You know, my friend that your favor of the sugar and cheese is not overlooked, or the thought that prompted you to send me the "pepper from the old box", which immediately recalled the many pleasant times we've had using that lame box. little did I think that part of its contents would ever stray away as far as "ole virginny". About the boots, they suit me better than I expected, he has put in better stock, and made them better than I supposed he would, the point at the instep I did not think he would get in. If the legs had been two inches longer and a little larger around, I should have been / glad, but that was my mistake, and I also forgot to have them iron shod at the heel, and if you will get a pair of heel irons and screws from Mr. Shattuck, and send them to me in the next box that comes from the Soldiers Aid Association, I shall feel very much obliged, you cannot imagine how much better the boot wears and how much easier it makes them to walk in, unless you have tried them. The cap is made of the best material, and Mr. Chase did the clean thing, but Davis consigned himself to everlasting infamy when he sent such an ill proportioned thing from his shop. It is not of the right pattern and it is too large, when I sent for a size smaller than the one I now have. We are not very foppish here, but still have a little regard for the fitness of things. The bill was all right, and I did not think the fright was very much. As you remarked, I am short of money, and the 27¢ was well received by my pocket book. I have been without a red cent for over a month, and shall not have any till the paymaster comes here, which I hope will be this week. I shall then have $231. coming to me, which is not bad to take for two months service. As soon as the next dividends are deduced I'm going to clean out my stocks, unless they fall abominably and I shall then have a very pleasant little pile of my own. By the way please send me the commercial bulletin, as I find out more about business from it, than any other paper. If you will send it me every week I should like it, and I must ask you to trust me for it until I'm paid, and one other thing I'd like you to do, and place to the same account. Enclosed you will find a note to Miss Georgiana Gilson, at Burbank Chase & Co's / A year ago the first of December, I promised her a pair of gloves if she was not married within a year, I to have a pair from her if she was. She is still "in maiden meditation fancy free", and it remains for me to come to time. She is young and fashionably inclined, and I'd like her to have a pair that would please her. If you will get a pair of good kid gloves—size 6¾—and stylish shade, not too gay, and put them in an envelope with this note, and leave them in the store for her on Monday the first day of December, you will do me a favor. Please direct the outside envelope the same as this one is. You might ask the "widdy's" opinion if you are in doubt what color to get, pardon me for at all suggesting that you might not know, but think that you are wont to say that you never notice a lady's dress, and you will note why I say it. If I keep on with my wants, I'm afraid that you will soon consider my letters a bore, and the day that you receive them, worse than the day you answer them, but I knew if you do a thing, it will not only be well done, but promptly done, and on the score of old friendship, I feel freer to ask you than any one else. Since I last wrote you, all has been quiet at Suffolk save a grand review of all the troops here by Major General Dix. It was a splendid sight far surpassing any thing I ever viewed. There were 2½ Regiments of Cavalry, 3 batteries and fifteen regiments of Infantry, several of which carried their old standards, tattered and torn, relics of many a well fought field, for two thirds of the soldiers here are men who were in the Seven days fight on the peninsula, and before that at Williamsburg and Fair Oaks, and three of third / Indiana and Illinois troops commenced their service in the Campaign in Western Virginia, more than sixteen months ago. The day was fine, and the field ample and level. I was on duty at camp, and was not with the regiment, but got excused, and was a spectator for a time. When Dix and his staff rode onto the field, and was saluted by a discharge of 13 guns from Howards battery in the center of the line, and all the bands played "Hail to the Chief" and all the men presented arms at once, I thought I realized for once, "the pomp and circumstance of glorious war". I do not know, but that at this present writing the Sixth are receiving their "baptism by fire" at Blackwater. A very large force has been sent out there, starting from here yesterday at ½ past one P.M. Eight Regiments of infantry & one battery of artillery, and a large number of horsemen, with pontoon bridges, and the usual train of baggage wagons and ambulances. The "Sixth" led the train, and they say did it handsomely, as late as we heard from them which was about six o'clock last night. Col. Follansbee sent me to Norfolk yesterday morning at ten o'clock, and at that time not a word of such an expedition was thought of. I did not get back here till half past four, and consequently did not go. I've been out there twice, and if the boys come back without getting into a fight, I shall not care that I was not with them but if there is fighting, I wish to be at my post, which is with my company. We've heard cannonading in their direction all day today, and feel quite anxious to know the result. Mrs. Marston need not fear, as Charley is here. With love to all inquiring friends, and hoping to hear from you very soon I am always                                           

 

Your friend, Selwyn E. Bickford.

 

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Give my regards to Rose, and let me know if she is as good looking as ever, I'd like to see her very much. I'm glad to know that you are so comfortably situated for the winter.

                                                                                                                                   

S.E.B.

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