Camp Vance January 21^st 1862

26 Reg^t NC Vo^l Co. H            Carolina City N.C.

           

Sarah B. Deaton

 

Dear sister with pleasure I take my pen in hand to answer your kind letter that came to hand last night which give me pleasure to hear that you were all in tolerable good health. this leaves me in tolerable good health though I was a little sick two or three days ago I am hearty as ever now. the M^cKinnons are well

 

            well Sarah I have not much news to write at present only there is a little excitement down here at present there came news here last night that there was 53 yankee ships in side of the shoals at Hatteras and it is thought they intend sailing up the Nuse River to attact Newbern and we are holding our selves in readiness to march at a moments warning to assist at Newbern if there is an attempt made there can be 12,000 of our boys there in a short time which is sufficient to keep a good many of the Abes at bay on the river I would not be surprised to hear orders at any moment for it is likely that there will be a brush at Newbern soon though I hope not.

 

we are living in our houses at present and are doing very well if it was not for guard duty a duty that cannot be dispensed with the 35 Reg^t is at Newbern the Reg^t that cousin A. E. M^cDonald is in I recd a letter from him not long since he was well then we drill 4 hours a day 2 hours Battallion and 2 hours Company drill. you said there was a sleet up there but it was only a cold rain here at at that time we have not had much ice down here there came 2 very light sprinkles of of snow here in the night but melted fast as it fell we have had no sleet at all some frosty nights /

 

I have three or four strans of shells and also a bunch of nice shells which I will send home if I can get the chance I believe I will send two strans in this letter one to Catharine one one to Margaret that costs .60 cents per stran. I will send John some shells the first chance I get tell them to attend to their books at school and at home and learn all they can you said for me to write you some of the fun but I say fun is scarse down here only our boys enjoys themselves very well at playin cat and bullpen &c well I will come to a close as I have no more news at present may the god of heaven bless you all is my prayer write soon give all the news

 

I send my best wishes to you all

                                   

your affectionate Brother

Noah Deaton

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