New Bern N.C. Oct 24

 

Dear Mother

                        I got your letter of the 12 yesterday and was very sorry to hear that you are haveing such a time with the little Cubs I am glad they are geting better. I am afraid you will be down sick your self and Melie to you must take care of your self selves. I ought to have written to you oftener but I thought I would let father do the write ing for a spell. do not think that I could forget you what should I have to think about these long dreary nights if I had no home no mother or sisters or little brother to love. I should have been in fort macon as others of our boys are if I had no friends that are ever / presant in my thoughts to guard me from evil and keep me in the path of duty. no I would not forget you for one moment if I were to stay here for years. I am well and so is father he is on guard to day he will write as soon as he gits a chance do not wory about our haveing to leave here and if we do we shall not have to fight. I will write as often as I can. When you write do not direct your letters to Burnsides Expedition for he has nothing to do with us now he is with McClellan. I must stop writeing now as the mail goes in the morning. write as often as you can and I will do the same. pleas send me a sheet of phillips sticking plaster when you write if you can get it handy. /

 

            I wish you had some of the sweet potatoes that I see down to the wharfs this morning I must stop now but I will write as soon as I can

 

                                                                                    yours &c.

                                                                                                E. L. Stetser

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