New Berne North Carolina

                                                                                                Saturday May 16^th 1863

 

My Very Dear Martha,

                                    Mrs. James has just been over and told me that a gun boat would start for New York this afternoon by which they would send the body of little Mary, and that if I would like to send a letter to be mailed there with theirs I could do so. I think it very kind in her to give me that opportunity. This boat does not take a mail.

 

            I am enjoying myself in the office with Mr James very much. Both Mr & Mrs James are very kind to me. I could not be better contented anywhere away from my family than I am here. / Mr James seems to have more confidence in me than Mr Means did, and that I like, of course. It was not natural for Mr Means to have confidence in any body.

 

            I have had some very pleasant talks with Mrs J. about her little girl. I have not time to write about them now.

 

She enquired about Eddie the other day, how old he was &c. and gave me a Sesesh jacknife for him It is a rough thing but it is Sesesh I will try not to loose it and will bring it to him when I come I suppose Eddie would feel quite nice with a Sesesh knife.

 

I will tell you sometime what Mrs J thinks of Charles Torrys discharge. She speeks quite plainly if he is her cousin.

 

When I wrote you before I didn’t know where we should go as we were obliged to leive our old house. / the Qr Master has given us a larger and better one on Hancock Street. We have now a pleasant sitting room, dining room bedroom & a pantry. The bedroom is a large airy room. All this for 5 of us. Dont you think we shall get along? We were obliged to change cooks when we moved but have a first rate one now, full as good as the other.

 

I did not hear anything about being called in yet, am expecting it (that is to hear about it—do not expect to go in just yet) almost every day. Mrs James said the other day that she did not know what Mr J. would do when I left. But I told her he could easily get a better man.

 

I was up to camp two or three days ago. Nothing especial going on. Claflin has gone to Beaufort to stay a day or two. Our Regimental band are improving very fast they have a new leader from Boston. They play twice a week at Gen Foster’s so I have a good chance to hear them /

 

We are expecting the “Dudly Buck” in every hour. She is said to be in the river below the town. We are very anxious to get the news. The last accounts we had were that Gen Hooker had again crossed the river and was driving the Rebs toward Richmond. From Rebel sources we hear that Stonewall Jackson is killed and the rebels retreating. I would give considerable to know now what doubtless you know about it May God give us the victory—

 

            My health continues good Mr Hastings was over and spent three or four hours with me yesterday. He is getting along finely, begins to look quite like himself again.

 

I have not time to write a long letter now. No doubt there will be a mail soon. Very Much Love Give Eddie a good kiss for me. Regards to all as usual

 

                        Affectionately Yours

                                    Charles W Hill.

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