New Berne N. Carolina

                                                                                                Tuesday March 31^st 1863

 

My Dear Martha

                        I should have written to you last Saturday but Mr Hastings was sick and I wrote to Cousin Sarah instead. I presume it was just as you would have had me done. I enclose a note to her in this; please hand it to her as soon as convenient for she will be anxious to hear. He is doing well and will be about again soon if nothing new sets in. My health remains good I do not think of anything new or interesting that has happened here since I wrote you.

 

Everything has been quiet here since the rebel attack which “fizzled” out on the 14^th. /

 

A little expedition goes out a few miles now and then. They do not accomplish much but keep the men from getting rusty.

 

The rebs are quite active in this department but not any more than we wish for, as if they will do the marching so much is gained

 

I am still with Mr Means. My duties are about the same as heretofore. Mr Means thinks he cant spare me to go into that school of which I wrote you untill he is better. He is quite sick, has a settled fever—His doctor says that he must go north, as soon as he is well enough, so we shall not see much more of him in the office for the present.

 

We are going to send some two hundred negroes to the Army of the Potomac tomorrow. They are to be employed as teamsters. The government promise them $20 a month /

 

Martha do you remember that Fast day I spent at your Fathers just before I went to East Hampton to school? When I came down and met you and your sisters as you were coming home from Mary’s? I have thought of that visit a great many times since I have been here. I heard the frogs peep that night I think we spoke of it as the first time we had heard them that season, and for some reason, when I hear them peep it always reminds me of that visit. How some little thing starts a whole train of remembrances sometimes. Those were happy days but I do not believe as some do that such days are the happiest in ones life Have not we found it otherwise?

 

I pity those who do not have a happy home. There is one man in our mess who, I think, does not live very happy with his wife. He is a real good kind of a man, and thinks he is a christian but his wife opposes him in having family devotions. If I were in his place I / dont believe I should want to go home.

 

A friend of Mr Claflin in the 25^th had news the other day that there was an addition to his family at home. He has not been home since his reg came out here. He felt so badly about it that it made him sick. But while there are cases like that the number is small compared to that of the scoundrels who have left virtuous families at home to come out here and roll in filth and wickedness. If the private life of some men high in command and in popular favor could be known the opinion estimation in which they are held might be very different.

 

I would not exchange the perfect confidence which I feel in you for the wealth of the Astors. Life is worth but little in a divided home. (But I wont moralize any more tonight)

 

I am enjoying myself as well as ever. But if I shall be permitted to get home again it will be a pleasure greater than I have ever experienced before. I hardly dare think of it, do not think of it much as I do not think it best. For some strange reason which I cannot account for I am never blue here. Never have been. If I can be cured of them by coming here I shall feel well paid—Tell Eddie that we have got 4 little kitties here. they live in a barrel. They are real pretty. I have no more time Give regards to all

            Affectionately Yours Charles W Hill             kiss

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