Newbern May 2/62

 

Dear Sis                                 

I suppose that you think that it is a bout time to heare from your stray brother and I think that it is about time myself yesterday Lut Bates arrived and brott 3 letters from Lizzie one from you one from Mother and one from Alvah. I am glad that you went and saw Lut Bates as he will think a good deal of it besides when we see one that has seen our own folks it seames as though we had seen them ourselves. I am affraid that this will be rather a dry one for I have been in the Hospital three weaks yesterday I have not heard much newes I am getting a long nicely I walk out every day I go wheare I have a mind to the Dr lets me do as I please he says that he can trust me as I / have got judgement enough not to go to far and that is more than he can say of most of them for as soon as they get out they go to trying every thing that they can think off one fellow went out the other day and before he got back he eat two or three pies, oysters cakes beefstake and I dont know what eals, and the consequence was that before the next day he was doun sick and has not got over it yet. so you see what judgement some men have I eat only what the Dr orders. he gives me boiled milk and beefstake so you can see that I dont have to starve. I think that I shall be able to join the Regt by monday if I get a long as well as I have but I shant do much work for some time for if I do say it myself I have worked hard enough and got no thanks for it. all the thanks I get is that some of my Officers are trying to keep / from being promoted and I am rather affraid that they will make out but I shall be on the look out and the first chance that I do see I shall strike for it. all the excuse that the Capt gives is that he cant spare me. I think that is rather lame excuse. the whole story is just this the Capt thinks that if I leave he will have to work harder and he dont like to work. nor will he do it if he can help it. I am gowing to write you something but dont tell of it so that it will get out to the publick Capt Brewester has been under arrest and has been Court Marshalled but what they have concluded to do with him I dont know it has not got out yet. Quartermaster Goldthwait has had some trouble with the powers at headquarters and yesterday they Court Marshalled but the generals opinion is that the Quartermaster / will get the best of them as the genearal oppinion is that he is right and they are wrong. this trouble is something about the teames. now dont go to telling every one of this so that it will get out you can tell Lizzie and the rest of our folks but I had rather that some one eals would tell the publick. I think that Capt Brewester will loose his Co I must close as I intend to write to Mother Lizzie and Alvah to day write as often as you can. I am glad to heare that you are getting a long so well. I think that you had better get two or three borders if you can so as to make a little more money coming in. if I can only get what borrowed money paid up I shall send some home but that keeps [?] me so that I want to get it off of my mind I must close God keep and bless you all

                                                                                                           

Your affecnate

Brother Richard

PS kiss Fanny for me

[upside down: Louisa]

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