Camp Bowers May 22/63

 

            I am still in excellent health, but all happiness here in the Army is a matter of the imagination. I am not homesick, but am tired of my mode of living that’s all. Weather as hot as a New Hampshire July. Soldiering loses all its charms—if it ever had any—in that temperature.

 

            Laurel is now in full bloom, and wonderfully beautiful. We are three miles from Portsmouth. The children about here are wearing crape on their arms, a show of mourning for Stonewall Jackson. I was in Portsmouth and Norfolk yesterday all the day. Made the acquaintance of the sister of the C.S.A. Brig. Gen. Frost.—a pretty and highly educated young lady, and—married! Miss Edith Baker, living at “Rosedale,” promises me a “Confederate Emblem” wrought in silk. /

 

Ames’ friend. “I have a very depressed opinion of all the southern cities which I have yet seen.” I recently made a trip of three miles through the woods to visit a family. Met Miss Baker only a short time ago—it was last evening. Kittredge, Ames and myself make an amiable trio. They are the only two young men whom I have made much acquaintance with, who neither drink, smoke, chew nor swear—so we match exactly. “Good company or none,” is my motto. We are building fortifications, leveling forests, and making ourselves generally useful. I send you some laurel flowers. I am very busy. I sent to Mr Moorill, Dover, for a new pair of boots today.                                                 T.

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