Morehead City

                                                                                                            Newbern N.C.

                                                                                                                        Jan 17^th 1863

 

Dear Sister Adaline

 

Being in comfortable quarters once more and getting clear of another expedition wich our regiment started yesterday on i thought i would write and let you know that company B was in luck once if they never are again. after the order had been read to be ready in light marching order within 48 hours with 5 days rations the boys had faces on as long as your arm, but the news came the next day that one company had got to go to morehead city to do guard duty but did not know which one would go, but about noon company B had orders to be ready in heavy marching order at 8 o.clock the next morning to start for morehead. three cheers for B we are about 40 miles from newbern we have taken our quarters in a schoolhouse and right in front across the railroad the captain and Lieut have a splenid house to themselves. we live right up to the handle now. hot biscuit, apple pies, buckwheat cakes plenty. there is a very large hotel here, and a few stores that are open till 8 o.clock after that no man is aloud out without the countersign. it seems a little like home to go into a store and set round and eat and drink what cider dates and apples you want and talk with the rebs that are all around the city and they have to toe the mark. they pretend to be union but most of them have been in the rebel army we have to go on guard every other day two picket posts down to the water where we have to keep awake all night going without sleep is the worst thing here. we dont know how long we shall stay here but i should hate most darnly to leave just now. very pleasent weather no snow and but very little ice. oysters plenty. dig them any time at low water. there are a very few white women here. there are two young girls that live in a splenid stone house about two rods from our quarters, but the most they say is i reckon you are a right smart feller. i have not been troubled with any lice yet, but am all broke out with the sand itch. hiram stands it well yet shoeball as the boys call him is growing fat, but is tormented half to death about little mary. all belong to the sons by this time i suppose. three cheers for jim. let him be. i have received two letters from jane this weak but have not got the box a box does not come as quick as a letter. hiram got one letter. his wife says she thought it to bad that i did not speak about him in my letter. he has wrote about two to my one and she says she has not had a letter for a month. he feels satisfied that she does not get half of his letters hereafter. he speaks about me and i speak about him in every letter we write. i did not speak about him in all my letters because he wrote at the same time i did. the next time you see Ester you can tell her how it is and i guess she wont feel so bad about it. i suppose William is puting the boots along same as ever. i have not half the time to write here that i had at newbern. that dam drum is beating and i have not time to write any more. jane says she has hard work to find anything to write. now lets see what you can pick up.

 

So good by Adaline    direct letters the same             Albert O Hollis

SOURCES