Washington N. C.

                                                                                                                        April 6^th 1864.

 

Dear Mamie.

                        Long neglected but not forgotten I am sorry I have to commence this letter with another apolegy. My next if good health is spared to me shall not be thus. For I will write more often I have just returned from a voyage toward home. We received orders on Friday last for about 150 of us officers and men to report to Gov B— in Conn Although we were sure it was to late it was decided to make the attempt to get home hoping that if we got to Fortress Monroe that they would not send us back. What pleasant anticipations I experienced none but myself could know. We embarked for Newbern on the Steamer about three oclock but owing to the darkness had to anchor that night. The next day it was stormy & exceedingly rough in the sound but we arrived in sight of Newbern about three oclock where we were met by the Propeller “Frances” with a number of/the 16^th C.V. on board bound home “to vote”. We were soon transferred to the propeller & started gaily down the river still full of pleasing hopes of seeing the loved ones at home; but when we cast anchor again that night instead of proceeding on our journey there was much murmering & among the profane I think I heard some swearing. All knowing that the delay of a minute was lessening our chance of getting home. The next morning turned out of my blankets to find the old thing under weight was some what disappointed when I went on deck & found that we had only got to the mouth of the river & had got aground in going over the bar. She was off in a short time & on went up the sound. The storm had not abated but rather increased having continued ever since we started. The boat we were in set on the water just like an eggshell not having in any ballast She was as high out of the water as a “three story house” & turned about like a feather in the air or a “___ in a mitten” The boys soon began to lose their appetites & throw themselves away over board the same way that the whale threw Jonah out of him/

 

But I am not easily inclined to loose Raw ham & “hard tack” (that being what we had to live on) therefore I did not get sick at all. We arrived at Hatteras inlet (the place where they go out of the sound on to the “bosom of the broad Atlantic.”) about 4 oclock & it was so rough that we dared not go outside & therefore again cast anchor lay all night The next morning was “Town Meeting day” & instead of being at home we were in a place that contrasted most strongly with it. 8 A.M. signalled for a pilot who was soon on board & said if we all wanted to go to the bottom we could go outside therefore it was decided to put back to Newbern thinking that from there we could take the cars to Moorhead City and go to F—Monroe on the “Spaudling” Monday night we were back to Newbern & many were desponding about getting home the officers went ashore & found that the order had been countermande & therefore nothing was left for us to do but go back to Washington to be laughed at by the boys left behind We again changed Steamers moved out into the stream & anchored the next morning started & reached camp about 3 oclock having been gone 4 days & getting no nearer home than when we first started & sailing over distance enough to carry us home & half way back—/

 

April 8^th

As there was no mail left since I commenced I will finish to send to day Since I returned we have been busy fixing up our quarters in the new camp to which we have moved. I have now a nice tent built of board with the tent over it large enough for a small family I have been a little sick since I came back but am feeling better to day I hardly know where we shall spend the summer but I hope here. Some think we shall spend the summer again join the 9^th Army Corps under Burnside there is a prospect of pretty lively times this summer & I hope they will end the war this coming Campaign Thing I suppose are reaching famine prices. How does mother get along now is she going to let the place I would advise her not to things are so high. We have not been paid yet when we are I will try & send home some money besides paying for the coat. The Bounty checks will be along soon any way I don’t suppose Perkins will be along untill the fourth of July I shall expect my coat when he comes Much love to Mamie Tell mother to keep up good courage I will come home some time                                                Court

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