Fort Norfolk, Feb. 4, 1863

 

Friend Euphemia

                        I thought that I would write you a few lines to inform you in regard to what is going on down here in Dixie. there is not much to tell of I can tell you only that our Lieut first Lieutenant has resigned and starts for home today. He has resigned on account of his wife. She is sick and not expected to live, he could not get a furlough so he has resigned for the sake of going home to see her. it is verry hard for us to part with him for he was the only Officer in our Company that we could depend on he was as much thought of as any Officer in the regiment and I am afraid that we cannot find any one to fill his place and there is not much prospect of / haveing one of our Hopewell boys for there is to much figureing going on among the Manchester and Bloomfield boys but we are going to do the best we can. I send you a ring made out of a piece of composition that I obtained from the machine shop where the Merimack was fitted out. it is of no great value but I thought you might value it.

 

I have not time to write much now as I am going to send it by Aldrich and he is going to start soon

 

I should like to have you write me a letter if you please.

                                                                                   

this from your

Friend

Francis Thompson

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