Newport News Va.

                                                                                                                        Feb 3^rd 1864

 

Dear Mamie

                        When I wrote you last about the coat I promised to write again soon & with pleasure I avail myself of this opportunity A stormy morning it has been It reminds me of when we were here a year ago A cold rain storm when we were glad to ly down and cover our selves up with our blankets but to day am differently situated have a warm roomy tent with a good fireplace & am as pleasant as could wish to be or at least expect to be in the army At home would expect a little better but with you could/be happy with but these accomodations.

 

This morning a little black pig might have been seen running around camp. Now he can be seen nicely dressed & hung up in our cook tent. They must not run around here if they want to live

 

Raids up the James River have of late been “all the go” & the 21^st has figured conspicuosly in the about two weeks ago an expedition started from here about 9 oclock in the evening consisting of several Gunboats & about 200 of the 21^st they went up the river to a place called Brandon went ashore & captured a Signal station & destroyed about 200,000/dollars worth of Grain & provisions & returned with out the loss of a man although there were three left back but when they found that they were left they got a small canoe & crossed the river & when they came upon the Reb pickets they captured four of them & brought them in with them. The boys found any quantity of wines & liquors & got pretty tight They came home loaded with poultry I did not go the detail from one Co. was fifteen men & a Sergt.

 

            Gen Graham who commands all such expeditions being so elated with this that on Saturday night he started another none of the 21^st were in this except the Harbor Police/of Norfolk which have never yet joined the Regt. There are two in it from our Co. Sergt Crumb & Alvin Wright. The latter stays in the office & therefore was not among them

 

            But to return to the expedition they made a landing & went inland about three miles when they met a superior force of Rebs with two cannons & a fight ensued The latest report of which is that they were all taken prisoners & that the Gunboat they went up on was blown up which last I think is correct as I heard an explosion. Sergt Crumb is wounded & also a prisoner

 

            Gen Graham thought I suppose that he could take Richmond with a handfull of men, but he found them prepared for him this time If the reports are true I am sorry for Crumb although he may come out all right

SOURCES