Newport News Va.

March 8^th 1863.

 

Friend William.

                        As we are haveing a rainy day, I will improve it by writing to you. I recieved your kind letter a short time since was glad to hear from you and to hear that you were all well. I am well and enjoying good health. We are in a splendid place now no mud at all. it really seems good to get out of the mud. it is very warm dry pleasant going here. the pleasantest place we have been in since we left Washington 

 

I must tell you what funny weather we are having. we had a heavy thunder storm this morning about 8 Oclock. the lightning was very sharp indeed. the first thunder storm we have had. we have had very warm weather for a week or so. the birds sing their daily songs. Frogs sing at night. it seems more like May or June the nights are warm enough to sleep without any blankett over us. just the kind of weather I like. Well Billy the Drummer and I went up to the Fort Friday (Fortress Monroe) it dont cost any thing to go up there. free pass. We see some awful Big Guns. one expecially 16 feet long. he was a savage looking fellow. the Fort is a splendid place quite a large place too. / after looking round the Fort awhile we took the Steamer George Washington and came back to our encampment. We had a splendid ride. it is about 6 miles.The talk now is that the 9^th Army Corps is going to South Carolina on an expidition. I had a letter from them the other day they say they are prepairing for a great Battle at Charleston and 40,000 thousand troops are coming down there so we expect to go there soon. if we dont go there we shall probably go to Richmond. it will be a Big Battle at either place I think I am ready to go. I would like to go to South Carolina tiptop or Richmond. I think Richmond is quite a place by what they say I dont believe but what there is Rebs there dont you? 

 

Well William what do you think of this War. do you think it will come to an end soon? The people in New Hampshire think this war will end in six months. I think it will myself. I hope so at any rate. something must be done soon. so many troops going home. I hope they will do something before the nine months men go home. they think they will draft in Merrimack and Bedford. I hope they will and draft every man that is a Democrat. what do you think of it. dont you hope they will draft you I think drafting will make a bad matter worse dont you? I hope "Peace" will soon be proclaimed for I have got about sick of soldiering. I have got sick of blowing for a liveing. (Blowing Fife you know). My sheet is about full you see so I must bring to a close.

                                                                                   

you may look on page 1^st /

I had a letter from Susan the other day. she said your sister Mary was up there and stayed all night. The school is prospering nicely. they have about 60 scholars in all. I havent any news to write you can see. nothing but Newport News.

 

Please write to me soon again Give my respecks to all the folks

 

From your Friend Edmund P. French

 

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Please direct to Newport News Virginia.

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