March the 30^th 1862

Kinston N.C.

26 Regt N.C. Vol. Co. H

 

Mr William Deaton

 

Dear Father

I was very much gratified this morning when I received the little note from Sarah and the bundle of clothing that came to me by the hand of Mr L. Lawhon it is true that we lost all of our clothing but the Ladies of Raleigh on hearing of our destitute condition they bought clothing and sent them to us which didnot come before we kneeded them we will be ever thankful to them for their kindness to us and we are equally thankful to our old Moore county friends for sending us so much clothing there came several boxes of clothing yesterday evening which we are oblige to send the most of it back. we are travling almost every day and cannot carry any thing only what we can on our backs in our knapsacks and as I have as much as I care about carrying, I will send back the / bundle you sent to me I will send it back to Mr Lawhons where you can get it, so that you can send it to me if I want it at any other time. if I want it I will let you know. I have ben very much surprised that I got no letters from home and also that you dont get letters from me this make the 4^th letter since I received any letter from you. we camped in Kinston night before last, and last night at this place we are 5 miles below kinston our regt is out on picket now and we are traveling under sealed orders and we will not know when we will leave untill we get orders to strike our tents our pickets and the enemies pickets are frequently running in contact with each other. I am in hopes our Gen. is better than the other we had, branch is not much better than an old woman. I think that Ransom will do to depend on. he dont tell every body what he intends to do. there is [obscured] thousand troops about here and more / coming in every day. our time will be out the 17^th of May but I expect we will be in another fight before then, and probably before 3 weeks. I supose Old Burnside has a printing office in Newbern and our General (Ransom) got a paper by some means in which it was stated that Burnside said the Rebels fought like devils and that nothing but an overwhelming number could have done any thing with us. I think he guessed very well that time for they had about 27,000 while our force didnot number 5,000 and at that we repulsed them three difrent times at point of the bayonett

 

            you cannot imagine how much our boys are cheerd up by receiving such liberal suplies from our friends and surely it is gratifying for us to know that we have friends behind us that will stand to us in time of kneed. it inspires us with new courage. As the mails are out of order I dont know where / to tell you to write to if you see no chance to send a letter by hand that you may direct to Kinston N.C. 26. Reg^t N.C. Vo^l C^o H

 

            I sent $40.00 to you to keep for me by the hand Mr Alex. Kelly you had better go down and get it as soon as you can if Mr Kelley dont send it to you by Mr D. M^cKinnon I wrote to before now about it and not knowing that you got the letter is why I mention it again I must close by saying may god be merciful to us all and suport us by his mighty arm and shield and protect us in the hour of danger O may the hand of divine Providence guide and direct us through every shifting scene in life and merciful God help us to live as we should and at last save us in heaven for christ sake Amen.

 

            I am your affectionate Son untill death                                 

N. Deaton

 

P. S. Give my respects to all

 

I am in good health at present

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