Newport News Va

                                                                                                            Dec 15^th 1863.

 

My own Darling Mamie.

                                    You have probably heard before this of our leaving Norfolk I should have written sooner but have been busy with moving Last Thursday the first warning we had was a Regt. maching into the place to relieve us the 27^th Mass. We had expected for some time that Butler would put a Mass. Regt to carry out his orders which were getting very strict Butler is not liked by the people of Norfolk at all We had orders to leave as soon as that Regt. came Five Companies got ready and left that night including Co. G. I did not come over that night but staid and came the next day. Arrived here in the evening & staid on board of/the Boat all night. I expected to find the boys in splendid quarters. Supposing that we would occupy the camp left by the 27^th but before we could get here the 9^th New Jersey had moved into it leaving their old camp for us The nastiest place I ever saw But we were not to take up with such so we have drawn new tents & have worked hard ever since fixing up our quarters & now begin to be quite comfortable Our tent (that is John Sergt. Bassett & myself) is stockaded with wood about four feet high we have two nice Bunks John & me of course ly together & Bassett is in a bunk over ours we have a stove & alltogether we have quite comfortable quarters I think I shall send home my white Shirts. It has been rather hard moving but we have been blessed with fine weather There is only one Brigade here called/Heckman’s Brigade it consists of the following Regt’s 23^rd & 25^th Mass. 9^th N.J. 3^rd NY Cavalry & 7^th RI Battery & one other the 21^st C.V. & 118 N.Y. which was doing Provost duty at Portsmouth & was relieved at the same time that we were There was some tall swearing when we left Norfolk but I for one was glad we left I would liked well enough to have staid till it came warm weather but we have wintered out before & I think can do it again. The Regt has lost much in Drill & Disipline while we have been doing Provost duty We had a General Inspection to day & it was slim enough to displease any body but by the time the Inspecting officer comes around again we shall appear different It is evening John is writing to Louise we are as comfortable as can be I am well & with the appetite that I have got now/I shall be as fat as a hog I thought our prospect was good to stay in Norfolk ‘till the war was over but changing Generals changes the Regts. We have seen field service & it is not new to us we shall now have to see fighting before the war is over but it is no more than we expect & will take it as it comes I hope it will close before our servi term of service is over. There are quite a number of women here officers wives I was very glad that you was not in Norfolk when we had to move but I wish I was with you to night—how happy I should be. We will meet some time I close now will write again soon I have received your letter of the 8^th it was such a good one

 

                                                                                                Good bye

                                                                                                            Court

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