New Berne North Carolina

                                                                                                Tuesday April 21^st 1863

 

My Very Dear Martha

                        I again have the privalege of writing to you tonight. I like to have the mails go often as I know it gives you great pleasure to hear from me even if there is nothing new to write. I do not see how how men can deny themselves the pleasure of writing to their friends and families as many here do. There has been no mail in since Sunday so of course I have not heard from you since I wrote you last. I hope I shall hear soon I love to get letters from you and feel, perhaps it is vanity, that I am more to you than anyone in the wide world beside. How pleasant it is to love and to enjoy the / unlimited confidence of some one. Especially when we can feel that that “one” is worthy our love and confidence

 

There will be some sad wives in Mass if they ever know, as I hope they will, of their husband’s vice and infidelity while here. I have thought a great many times since I have been here how narrowly I escaped being the miserable husband of Mary Adella. I have nothing to say against the dead but I know now I could never have been happy with her as I have been with you. I believe Providence has mercifully directed my steps hitherto.

 

            Our mess are all married men now but two. Mr Wood one of them. He has rather of a hard time to sustain his side, but he does pretty well. We give him all the good advice we can and have no doubt he will improve upon it when he gets home. /

 

            Mr Hastings continues to improve slowly. He thinks he will not write this time as it is rather hard work for him So please let Sarah know that he is doing well as of course she is anxious to hear. I saw him at noon today.

 

            No one has been appointed yet to fill Mr Means place. I am in the office yet. The expedition of which I wrote you Sunday is returning. The 5^th is not in yet. Gen Foster came last night. They have been as far as Washington but the rebs had gone. I am anxious to hear from the north as we have rumors that Gen Hooker is advancing and that the rebs are evacuating Virginia. If true which I doubt we shall be likely to see them here but let them come, we are ready for them.

 

            There is a great stir among the Sesesh in town as all who will not take the oath are to be sent without the lines. A kindness which / which ought to have been shown them long ago. Some of our neighbors look anxious. There is no doubt that the rebels in town have held regular correspondence with the rebels outside ever since the place was taken It ought to be stoped. In taking the census the other day the census taker was asked by an old woman if he wanted to know where her son was he told her he did. well said she, he is in Heaven He was sent there by you d—Yankees while he was fighting for his country and I wish I had ten more to send out to fight you. That is the spirit of the Southern women. Have the women of the North the same determination? I hope they have not the same venom.

 

I wish I could sent you a boquet of the beautiful flowers now in bloom here but I cannot Today is a raw chilly day. A great change since yesterday

 

I like the verses you sent me very much With very much love to you and Eddie

 

I am still yours            Charles

Regards to all

SOURCES