Newport News Va.

Tuesday 10^th Feb 1863

 

My Dear Wife.

                                                            I was just on the point of writing to you again when I received your letter of the 2^nd. I was happy to think you wrote me without waiting for one from me. I shall expect another letter in the next mail as I have written you two since I received yours before this. When I wrote my last we were on the point of leaving our old Home We struck tents early Saturday morning Late in the afternoon we started through the mud for the depot The mud all way was about six inches deep and just like putty The distance was short though and we soon got through it We took/the cars to Aqia Creek where we arrived just after dark After laying on the dock about 3 hours we embarked on board a propeller for Fortress Monroe She moved out into the stream and anchored We started down the river about 3 oclock Sunday afternoon Sunday was a beautifull day. We anchored again at dark I awoke the next morning to find myself in sight of Fortess Monroe. The boat having weighed anchor during th and come down through the Chesapeake during the night We received orders at the Fortress to land at this place therefore we did not go ashore there. Judging from what I saw of it I should think it was a very pretty place there. This place (N.—N.) I always supposed was a village of some importance                              over/

 

but beside the barracks there is nothing but a few nigger huts It is a very pleasant place though It is much warmer here than where we were I intend to go in bathing in the salt water this afternoon. Things are cheaper here than at any place we have been before. How long we shall stay here I don’t know            *          *          *

 

Wednesday 11^th Feb

                                                                        I did not have time to finish my letter yesterday so I write more to day As I told you there are barrack here for the soldiers. The most of them are large enough to hold three companies There are not half enough to hold all the troops that will come here But we being the first here occupy barracks I had a very good place in them but yesterday the five sergeants of Co G. had the offer of an officers tent. which we accepted & now we have/

 

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a nice roomy place all by ourselves It is colder to day. Last night we drew soft Beds which is the first time we have had any furnished us since we left Washington. To day if it does not storm I am going down to the Fortress. to get me a pair of Boots & some other things & also to see the place I got my pass to go down there signed by a half a dozen Gens. & all it lacks now is the Signature of the Provost Marshall Oysters are in abundance here. Waren Brown is getting better he has followed the Reg. here & will soon be on duty again Maj Crosby is in command of the Reg. Where we are going to from here is more than I know We shall expect to see White here before we leave I must close Darling my love to mother                             CGStanton

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