New Berne N. Carolina.

                                                                                                Monday March 16^th 1863

 

My Very Dear Martha

                                    As usual our mails all leive together one yesterday and one today. I wrote yesterday and have time to add but a note today.

 

I wrote you of the attack upon the camp across the Neuse on Saturday and that some thought the place threatened. There has been no demonstration since and I do not think there will be, but it was a daring act for them to attack a camp in plain sight of Newberne. No doubt they would have felt pretty nicely over it if they could succeed in capturing it. If they thought of attacking Newberne which I do not / think they did, they better had done it before now. Everything is in readiness now to give them such a reception as they would not be likely to forget.

 

            Yesterday was a peculiar day to us—All the troops were kept in their own camp, no passes given, consequently but few out to church except the reg in town. After 7 P.M. no one was alowed out although we did get out and had a little meeting. It was a good one Fervent prayers were offered for our country which, I believe will be answered. Mr Stone had an excelent sermon in the afternoon on “Prayer and fighting” the necessity of both. He was very severe on those officers who swear.

 

I think it was the best sermon on the war I have ever heard.

 

The 44^th Reg and some others left / last night for Washington N. C. as many think the demonstration here was a faint to cover some attack there or elsewhere.

 

            It requires a good deal of watchfulness to keep track of the scoundrels

 

            New Berne people do not seem to be atall anxious about the safty of the place. Mr James said last night that he sometimes wished that fifty thousand of them would come down here and give us a chance to strike a blow for our country’s cause which he believes would be an effectual one. The 5^th Reg will not probably leive their camp for a while as it is necessary that some reg should be there for the present. There has been talk of sending it to Plymouth by and by but I do not know whether there is any truth in it or not It would be a very pleasant place to go to /

 

I should have acknowledged yesterday the rec’t of one dollar and the stamp you sent me When you get home if you have plenty by you, you may send me a few dollars more, as I do not see any prospect of being paid off. I like to have a little by me. The wether yesterday I think was the finest I ever knew. Today it is quite cool. Charles Fry expects to get his discharge Possibly he will go in the next boat if so I shall send this by him and also a book which I got at Williamston when I was there. A picture in it is for Eddie Please get it framed for him. If this comes by mail of course you will not get the book.

 

Do not have any anxiety about affairs here. I have written the worst and I feel as safe here, almost, as I should at home. I would be glad to write more but we had but little notice that the mail would close today. I am glad that you have been treated so kindly while visiting in Marlboro, and that you have had so pleasant visits. I hope you will continue to be as well as you have been and better too, and always try and keep your mind occupied The time will not seem half as long I have no doubt you do A kiss for Eddie and if I could give them myself “lots” of them for you

                                    Affectionately yours               Charles W Hill

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