Head Quarters 1^st Brig

Naglees Divis Carolina City

Jany 16^th 1863

 

Dear Sis

                        Yours of Dec 29^th arrived heare last night and as the mail is to leave tomorrow I will just drop a line to let you know that I am well. before you receive this I suppose that you will heare that I have been promoted to a First Lieut and that I am attached to Genl Hickmans Staff as Chief of the Ambulance Corps of the Brigade. I came heare last Saturday. I like verry much. only I have plenty to do so that my time for writing is verry limated. I have to look after all the ambulance horses and men that belong to the Ambulance Corps of the Brigade and in action I have to see to the removeing of all the killed and wounded and see that they are properly cared for after the Sergons get through with them. it is a post of a good deal of responsibility and some danger but I shall try to do my duty as I [?] have tried. I stop at Genl Head Quarters and mess with the Genl and Staff you may direct my letter as follows: Lieut R P Wheeler Co C 23^d Regt. Newbern N.C. untill you get further orders, as that will be the most direct way. you will see that I have been put into annother Co. I was promoted the / day after I was apointed on the Staff. I have got a letter partly finished for Lizzie but as I wrote to her last I thought she would be willing for me to write to you next and as the mail leaves in a few moments I have not time to finish them both. we are expecting to go on board ship in a few days whare for I do not know but that theare is a going to be a big fight some whare is evident to all. but whare is the question that puzzels manny. I like my new place verry much. I have got a good horse to ride and that is better than walking. we are having a verry heavy blow to day the wind is blowing at a tremendous rate. Mrs Goldthwait and child have arrived in New Bern. I have not seen them. Lieut Bates has resigned and gone home. I am attached to the same Co that Johny Lakeman is 2^ond Lieut off and when I go back to the Regt it will be verry pleasant for me. Give my regards to all our friends. I wrote to Mother a few days ago but I dont think that the letter has left New Bern yet as thare has been no mail go that I know off. I shall have to close as I expect the cars every moment and I shall not have time to get this in to the mail

my love to all

                                                                       

Your Brother R

SOURCES