Morris Island S.C. Oct 1^st 1863

 

Dear Abbie

            We received a mail this afternoon. I received only one from you however written on the 18^th mailed the 21^st one from Eddy one from Charles N. Wright and one from Orderly Sharp quite a variety and with all I was quite well pleased. I had been a long while hoping for letters from both Eddy and Charles Wright. I think I ought to have received later date from home as papers were received as late as the 25^th by those we got the full account of Rosecrans defeat. I don’t believe it will be as bad as was at first thought. I don’t think the Rebs have gained any permanent success. I think he will soon retrieve all honors lost and gain fresh laurels of victory. we can not expect to be successful every time if we were we would soon get to be proud, and give them / the glory instead of those to whom it belongs. in Rosecrans defeat I see nothing to discourage to us he will rally with fresh troops and courage and push the Rebs to the wall. I believe you when you say the fence is a great improvement to our place. have you paid all the bills but the painting It had ought not to be very large that is for the labor. I feel sorry for Mary S[?]. I am glad to hear she has been to pleasant [?] but you will miss her very much I should think Bennie would miss Jane. I should think if Mary has got a new girl she might find time to write me. I have almost come to the conclusion never to write to her or Joseph again. I don’t think Joseph does right at all. I have written to him time after time and asked for a statement but receive none from him at all. I shall not wait very much longer, unless I hear I shall come home some way or other. I thought I should hear from him by this mail sure but I was again disappointed. I wish you / attack him in my behalf. I did have some charity for him because I supposed he was busey but I have in view of waiting ever since last April got bravely over my charity speaking about digging potatoes I wish Government would send us a lot down here they should furnish us plenty of them now but they do not. I sent the money off this morning at the express office they told me it would not go before the next week I was very sorry for some will get letters by this mail but it has been sent and will be [?]ing after it for a week or more before it comes if this letter should happen to go to his Father please tell Joseph so that he will know what to tell them if they call for it. I will go by the [?] the last of next week by that time I think I will send another package as some of the boys did not get theirs in this time and want me to send for them. I shall send some more to you by that time. we sent one thousand to day. I sent you $230. /

 

Eddy sent me his picture a very good one I think. he is looking very well thinks he will get a promotion soon. I shall not be able to write much to night as it is quite late and the Regt. is to turn out at quarter past four in the morning. I am also detailed on fatigue for to morrow. therefore I shall have to go to bed soon. we have a dress parade to night the first for some time. to night is quite windy and showery I am glad to hear my Rubber Coat is coming it cost a good price. Rubber must have advanced I shall rejoice when my Boots come also our Regt. commenced baking soft bread to day our boys will have some thing beside [?]y hard bread to eat now I am thinking I have scribbled this off in such a hurry I think it will bother you some about reading it. through Zac Mead I believe you have received the Box and package I sent in the boys Box probably you forgot to mention it. Give my love to all give Bennie a kiss and tell him pa wants him to be a good boy.

 

                                                                                    Affectionately Your

                                                                                                Benjamin

 

in the package of money I sent you two [?] pieces made by Erastus Buns I forgot them untill I had sealed up the package and then stuck them in they are

not mashed at all tell Joseph about them

 

I want you to keep one and give Ma the other. Suit your self.

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