(This envelope is sesech

found in one of the

Cassoens at the Battery                                                                                 

of Newbern)   

 

Newbern N.C.

Wedensday June 4/62

 

Dear Mother

                        The mail leaves to night and thinking that a few lines from me would be found any fault with I think I will try and see what I can do in the way of a letter. as to my writing anything in the way of newes that is out of the question as we dont get anything out hear untill after you have had it as much as a weak. we got the newes hear yesterday of the excitement that was caused by the Govenmt's ordering out the milatary for three months service they will have a chance to try a soldiers life. but they wont be able to judge much, doing duty in a loyal state and doing it in a disloyal one is two things, in one every thing is quiet and one can lie down to sleep and feel sure of a good nights sleep, while in the other one you neaver know when / you are safe or how long you can sleep. the hour to go to bed is nine oclock and perhaps before twelve you may be two miles from camp. no matter wether it rains or no, up you must get and off you must tramp. then annother thing out heare we neaver know when we are safe. we must be continualy on the watch, no knowing what may happen at any moment. heare in the city no one is allowed to pass through the streets after nine oclock except Commissioned Officers. every one is challenged and if he proves to be anything but a Commissioned Officer off to the Guard House he must go. sometimes we have some laughabul sceanes, if an Officer is caught after nine oclock without his shoulder straps he is not regonised but to the Guard House they have they have to go, no matter how much they growl or what they say. they have to travel or take the contents of an Endfield Rifle and most of them have no fancy to try it why so they go a long. theare was / a fellow tried to come it on one of our boys the other night. the story is that, it was about one oclock and dark as a pocket the Sentry was paceing up and down in front of on his beet when all at once he heares the sound of foot steps he waits untill the ouner of the foot steps gets within hailing dinstance when out on the still air rings the challange. Who comes theare the answer comes back, a Friend, advance friend, friend advances and proves to be a private of the 24^th that has been staying out a little to late and the consequence is that he has got a little to much in the top of his head, he is informed that he must take a walk to the Guard house, at that he begins to find fault and at last refuses to go at that, down comes the musket and he is told to go a head or he will get two or three inches of cold steel, at that he turns and runs but before he has got three steps he is told to halt or take the contents of the rifle, and at the same moment the sharp click of the musket lock / tells the runaway that the sentinal is in earnest. runaway imeaditly thinks better of it and concludes to go to the Guard house and the next morning he is sent to his Regt. this is only one of many cases. our boys enjoy it verry much, and it is quite amuseing to heare them tell their experiences. one of our boys took no less than six Officers to the Guard House in one night. they had no straps on their shoulders and so they had to go. when the got theare they complained to the Provost Marshall and tried to get the sentinal repremanded but instead of that he got complimented for doing his duty, as he ought to. our Co is called the particular Co because they are so particular to make every one show thier pass but they dont care for that they came out heare to do thier duty and they are bound to do it, and others can call them what they like. theare I think I have made quite a letter I must close now but will write a gain in a few days give my love to all and dont forget to take your share                                                

 

your affecnoate Son Richard

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