Fort Norfolk Virginia Nov 23^rd/62

 

Friend Euphemia

                        I received your kind letter of the 18^th inst. yesterday, which gave me much pleasure, for next to seeing you, is the pleasure of seeing your hand writing, and next to hearing you, is the pleasure of hearing from you, and I improve the first favorable oppertunity to reply. I am glad to learn that your friends are well, and that you are again recovering your health which is the best riches of Earth. Cassius Knapp and your brother received the box of luxuries a few days since, which was sent to them. I am obliged for the fine apple and pear which was placed in the box for me. They were far superior to any fruit I have seen produced from the sacred soil of Virginia, or any other part of Dixie. The soldiers in Company K frequently receive proofs of the kind regards of friends at home in the way of bbls. and boxes of necessaries. One day last week, five boxes, and one bbl, were received and their / contence found a welcome and speedy market. The soldiers who were from Chapinville recently received a bbl well filled, in which I was kindly remembered. The soldiers in our tent have enjoyed a good joke, at your brothers expense, in regard to the misunderstanding between him and his friends, in relation to his being confined in the guard house. It appears there has been a slight mistake, as to the true meaning of his letters, either in the writing, or reading. It is true, he has been in the guard house quite often, with all the company, but he was on duty he has never been confined there, and when you learn he has justly been confined for misdemeanor, you may expect to hear of the total demoralization of the whole company. And as I donot expect this will be the case, neither do I think you will see cause to blush for your brothers present or future conduct. Though you may have learned from another source, I will say for explination, that a guard house in a military camp is the camp jail, but in a fort, it is used for quite a different purpose. Thirty two men are required each day for guards, and these / men are divided into three reliefs, relieving each other. one stands on duty two hours, and the guard house, instead of being used for a jail, is where the second and third relief stay while the first are on duty. Though but one relief is really on duty at a time, all three are required to stay at the fort and hold themselves in readiness in case of emergency during the twenty four hours, when their time expires, and a new guard is detailed from the other company. We are pleasantly situated here, and have a quite an extensive view of on the Elizabeth river extending from Norfolk above, nearly to Fortress Monroe below. I think it is also a healthy place. The health of companies E and K is very good. there is less sickness at present than at any other time since we left Geneva. I think their general health has improved very much since we arrived here There appears to be a prospect of a forward movement of our army from this vasinity. Three or four thousand troops passed up the river on transports this afternoon I have not learned the place of their destination but in all probability it is Suffolk. Though / our company is pleasantly and comfortably situated, I hope we may soon have an oppertunity of acting a more worthy and conspicuous part in this great drama, than thus to be detached from the regiment, and doing garrison duty in a fort. I will send you a fig and a magnolia leaf which I picked from a neighbors garden while on a short ramble with a friend this afternoon. The magnolia is the long narrow leaf, which is an evergreen. they are both small leaves, not more than half the common size.

 

Charlie is on duty this evening, he was writing a letter to you today. I hope this may find you as it leaves me in good health

                                               

Truly your well wishing friend

Russell. F. Wright

 

To Miss Euphemia O. Gillet

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