Newport News Va

                                                                                                Sunday Jan 17^th 1864

 

My Dear Mamie

                        I received your pleasant letter of the 11^th yesterday I was expecting one that day & sure enough was not disappointed. It is warm & pleasant to day almost like Spring at home but I would swap it for home & its weather be it ever so cold. There have been some changes since I wrote last none in the Regt but in the Dept The Gen that was here has relieved Gen Getty & Col Dulton has taken command of the troops here It has been rumored that we were all going to leave this Regt to go to Point Lookout/

 

Maryland. how true this may be I do not know. A large portion of the troops are reinlisting & going home one large steamer load left this morning for their homes in Mass. all very pleasant this going home but to come back and have to stay three years more I dont think I could see it As you say one time will soon have half expired & then one cau count less every month & if I once “get out of it” I shall be exempt unless they alter the Conscription Act. I say “get out of it” not that I would shrink from my duty but I think when I have served three years that it ought to do for me/

 

Your request about Whiskers I think I shall be able to comply with But not at present I have now quite a respectable Chin Whisker which I should be loth to part with at present I kept Shaved clean while in Norfolk & Portsmouth & have just raised these. I should be as pleased as any one to improve my personal appearance for it ammounts to more in the Army than any other place I have no doubt that the next Promotions will be governved more by that than any thing else & I can hope for nothing on that score as there are many that have new clothes My old coat looks like Hell & is the remark of all my friends & I cannot afford to get a new one as we probably shall not be paid till March/

 

My coat was very poor cloth & faded very soon & now it is not only faded but worn. If I was at home I possibly might afford to get one but a new one out here cost $30. dollars If I was rich I would not wait long for a commission but as it is I must wait some times I get discouraged & then something will turn up to give me heart to try on I wrote you that Hawkins had resigned but his resignation has not been accepted yet when it is I will write you more as I promised I must close Good bye much love—write often

                                                                                                            CGStanton

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