Camp of the 5^th Mass Reg Newbern N.C.

Thursday Jan 22^nd. 1863.

 

My Dear Martha

                        We have outward mailes thick and fast lately. The mail closes again for the north tonight. I hope we shall not have to wait long enough some other time to make it up. We have not received a mail since a week ago today when I received the letter you wrote me from Shrewsbury. I hope to hear again soon.

 

I have written you twice about being detailed It came yesterday morning Mr Wood and myself were ordered to report to Rev Mr Means the Superintendent of Contrabands We went down and found that he had not got his arrangements completed yet and would not want us that day perhaps not for a number of days. We had a very pleasant talk with him. Liked him very much / He formerly preached in Marlboro He knows David Goodale and all the “old settlers” there He preached there a year but was not settled. How strangely Providence weaves the web of our lives causing them to cross the thread of others lives where we least expect it

 

Mr Means whole heart is enlisted in the elevation of the negro race. He said that their work, to him, although important, was a secondary consideration. He wants us to act a good example before them and acquire an influence over them.

 

There are to be eight of us We are to be quartered together, draw our rations and have a cook of our own. We are to be treated at the negro camp on the other side of the Trent. Some ways from here, but I do not care very much for that. When we left he told us we might report this morning although probably there would be nothing for us to do. After leiving him I went to pay Mr Fish a visit but did not find him at home.

 

This morning Mr Wood was not very well and as it was a cold stormy day I persuaded him not to go to report. I went, and had an- / -other pleasant talk with Mr Means. I met two men from the third reg who are to be in the same mess with us; they are both Christian men. Mr Means wanted to know if I knew of any others I could recommend. I mentioned Geo’ Fisher. I dont know as he would like to go and dont know as he will be detailed but I shouldn’t think strange of it.

 

This forenoon I assisted in unpacking some articles of clothing sent from the north for the contrabands It was a pleasant work. Found all kinds and patterns but most of it was good. They sell the articles to the negroes at a low price to pay the Express and to teach the negroes that they are to earn their living; which is a great lesson.

 

Mr Means said that he thought he would not set us to work untill Monday. Our business will be to take a company of them of from twenty five to fifty and oversee them at their work, see that they are not idle, see that they report in season in the morning and while at work to have the whole charge of them. When not at work I have nothing to do with them unless I choose. / We are not expected to do anything ourselves unless we choose. Stormy days of course we shall be at liberty. We shall not have to take them out Sundays unless the work is very pressing. Mr Means thinks we shall find them much easier to manage than white people And I think he must be right for they have always been taught to obey.

 

I thought if I should continue to teach that this might be a good opportunity to study human nature, and would be a better preparation than simply drilling in the company.

 

If I am rightly informed I shall draw forty cts a day extra pay while I am detailed.

 

I dont know I am sure how I shall like it but I am going to try. While detailed I shall be excused from all military duty

 

Now what do you think of me as an overseer of negroes? One thing I shall esteem a great privalege: that is a pass to go anywhere and they are giving us the opportunity to attend the evening meetings down town.

 

I wrote you that Oliver Wyman called upon me the other day; yesterday I returned it. found them nicely quartered in log houses which looked very confortable Harlow was well. My health continues good The regiment is usually in good health. This makes three letters which I have written you within a week, but I am vain enough to believe that you will read them all and be glad too. Very much love to Eddie I wonder if there is snow so he can slide. there is none here

 

(Kiss here) Much love to all. Affectionately Yours   Charles.

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