Morehead City N.C. feb 1^st 1863

 

            Brother William

 

            I have just got off picket washed eat a plate of beens and am in my bunk writing on your box cover. i did not have to show the recipt put it on my shoulder and left. nothing was spoilt. i am rather sleepy but i will try and answer your letter it was very warm here to day the boys are out shirt sleeves what rebs there is here are dressed up in their best and siting around the hotel they look like scarecrows in a cornfield i reckon they feel right smart now we had to turn out three times last week in the night and hunt up every niger in the city and drive them down to the depot to shovel coal on board the transports we found ten nigs and about as many wenches i guess they flew round so fast we couldnt count them but the fun of it was they was all sick or lame but we hit them a few pokes with the bayonent and they began to hop round right smart one of them pulled out a revolver wich is worth thirty dollars sent him to fort Norton newbern we have all we can tend to since the expedition left. if John rennie is as hard up as tell for i think he had better enlist again. ducks and geese thicker than ever. i never saw such a site. not alowed to fire i am well am not in want of anything to wear yet. by the sound this expedition is going to willmington and charleston as nigh as we can find out.

 

            the reason i left my things with you is this. i wanted them all together. i thought you would want some of the tools to use and i know father wouldnt. you have got room for them and he aint the money is wanted where i could get it and nobody else. if i get killed the money is yours. it might have been safe enough if i had let father had it but i am 21 and what little i have i want where i can get it dam quick. i have more money in my pocket now than i put in the bank. never go on an expedition and come back with your pocket empty i have spent a dollar a day since i have been here. we shall be paid off again soon if i send any home i shall send it to you i dont mean to get out of money here. there is some that has got more than i have. bully for them. i cant think of anything more to write now. so i will close

 

                                                                        Good Bye

                                                            From your Brother

 

(Albert O. Hollis, Co. B. 43 Mass.Vol.Inf.

Braintree, Mass.)

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