Portsmouth Va May 4^th

 

Dear Mamie

                        I wrote the first sheet some time ago as you see. Have not had an opportunity to end it since writing Many changes have occurred since writing The next day after writing the rebs drove in our pickets & I supposed they had come to serve us as they did the Plymouth Garrison. We lay in the rifle pits all day there was a slight skirmish with them in which two men were killed toward night we had orders to pack up & be ready to leave at first I thought they were afraid of the Rebs, but have since found out that it was orders from the War Dept. to evacuate the place. We embarked but came back & lay in the “pits all night/

 

The next day the town was pretty thouroughly plundered We left at night. Some of the forces staid two days after I got off the Guns blew up the forts & burnt the town. Thus was was destroyed what cost over a three millions of dollars to say nothing about the private property in the town We sailed direct to Hatteras inlet on account of the wind had to lay over all night the next morning got aground & had to wait for high tide left about noon passed Cape Hatteras all right although it commenced to storm soon after we were on board of our old Steamer with a shcooner in tow with part of the Regt aboard of her. Arrived at fort Monroe where all was a scene of activity The harbor was full of Steam vessels of all sizes/Come to find out the cause was somewhat astonished. Hear that there was ninty thousand troops at Yorktown & we expect to join them went ashore & got a Barrel of cakes for the Co. Soon orders came not to go to Yorktown but to Portsmouth my feelings were somewhat elated although if I had gone to Yorktown I should have gone with as good grace and maybe fought as well as any of them but of choice I had much rather come here we are just outside of the town how long we shall stay I do not know but I know there is going to be fought the greatest battle that ever was fought, the side that is whipped may as well give up nearly all of both armies will fight we may have to go in yet but I think not/Communication is to be stopped for thirty days after to day so I hear But you can write it may not be so. I will write to, Good by God bless you my love to mother                                                    C.G.S.

 

P.S. I forgot to mention that since coming here I have recd two letter one containing the Picture I do not think that flatters you much although quite a good picture I will answer both of them soon—

C.G.S.

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