Portsmouth Va           

May 4^th 1864

           

Dear Father

                                    I reckon you will be some surprised to hear from us back in Portsmouth but here we are how long we shall stay I do not know after Plymouth was taken by the rebels they came to Washington and were to attack the town but our troops evacuated the place there was great excitement there for a while amongst the Negroes as there were some 4 or 5 thousand of them women and children but folks took them all away by row boats old scows and most any thing that would float and left them at Newbern. we left the city last Thursday night and arrived at Fort Monroe Sunday morning. We came in transport outside through Haterass Inlet Our gunboats burnt the city Saturday so little Washington is in ruins now.

 

            The Regt were glad to get / back here as it seems like home as we were here nearly a year Mr Doane of Preston City, Sutler 16^th Conn Vol. was taken prisoner at Plymouth with the Regt.

 

            There is going to be something done here this spring as Hampton Roads are full of vessels and some 100,000 troops at Yorktown, Va. the mails and boats stop running in a day or two for how long I do not know, two or three weeks I reckon.

 

            Now we have got back here I should like to have you come down and see me I will meet you any time in Balto. the boys here are all well, so is myself Ed Gallup wrote home that I was sick but it was a mistake I saw him yesterday and he said he heard through some one else Amos Peckham owes me $25.00 for a tent I wish you would get it for me. Enclosed is bill. Please ask Geo Wheaton if he has / got his tent. if so ask him what he wants for it as I have got to get a new one this spring.

 

            Hoping this may find you all well as it leaves me. I remain

with Love to all

Your Aff Son

Charles.

 

Direct

Sutler 21^st Conn. Vol

Via Fort Monroe

V^a

SOURCES