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

Friday, December 5^th 1862

 

My Dear Wife.

                        I wish I knew whether you have received the letters which I have written. I cannot but hope you have, still I do not see why I should not receive your letters if you receive mine.

 

The story here is that a mail steamer has been wrecked off Cape Hatteras. If so probably some of our letters have been lost. Another story today is that a mail has reached Beaufort; if so we shall have it tomorrow. I ought to have written before that I fare about as well as most of the company, but very few letters have been received from Marlboro. The last I wrote (No 9) was last Tuesday. I intend to write every mail We have had two or three mails leive since one came in.

 

Nothing unusual has transpired since my last. They give us plenty to do, and usually plenty to eat. What more is a soldier supposed to want /

 

Today has been rainy. But we were obliged to turn out for drill this afternoon. Our Col is very anxious to have us appear the best of any Reg. in the brigade. He (the Col) seems to be well posted and a good commander. The Col of the 3^rd makes some mistakes which make me laugh. We had a sham fight for our brigade drill yesterday. It made me think of what a real battle might be. I am afraid if we ever go into action, that the officers will not be able to hold control of the men. They do not, and in the case of some of them cannot, show that they are superior to their men in military knowledge and fitness. I hope they will acquire by drill and study what they so much lack. Lieut Frost asked Wood this morning if he was sorry that he enlisted. Wood told him that he was not sorry that he was in the service but if he was back again he should not probably come where he was. (that is in the same company) The worst failing our Capt has is a lack of common sense. Our rations are now very good. We frequently have beef steak boiled rice / baked buns &c. Sometimes we are alittle short but usually have a great plenty.

 

I have not yet had an opportunity to see the Shrewsbury boys in the 51^st but hope to get a pass next Monday. Only 4 passes are issued here a day and those to those who were on guard the day before. I expect to be on Sunday. It is easier to be on guard here than to drill. I have had the good fortune not to be on a rainy day yet. The surgeon has commenced giving out whisky rations. It makes me sad to see how many go for them.

 

I very much fear that the army will return to be a curse to the communities which have sent it forth. I fear that habits of drinking, profanity and other vices will be so infused into it, that its return will mark one of those dark eras which have almost always followed war. May God in his mercy prevent this, but if it should be so how fearful will be the responsibility resting on those who by precept and example have been instrumental in bringing about such a sad state of things. /

 

Tell Addison not to relax effort in the good cause of temperance. Those who are left at home can so prepare the community that when the army shall return those who love truth and soberness shall still be in the majority.

 

I continue to enjoy good health. I feel that I cannot be too grateful for the great blessing of health in camp. Barnes is nearly well again. All others you know here are well.

 

I hope the letter containing your pictures is not lost. I wish I could receive it as I do want to see them. The suttler of our regement has just arrived he has been on his way since the 14^th of Nov He reports the story about a mail steamer being lost. We have received papers up to the 25^th Nov. From those I should gather that ere this stirring news might be expected from Virginia. I hope, almost against hope, to hear that our third advance upon Richmond is successful. If it is not it will be very disheartning.

 

A few regs from this place are away on some expedition, it is said to quell a mutiny on Roanoke island. I do not know the truth of it. We have not got into barracks yet do not know how soon we shall. If it were not that it is more healthy in barracks I should rather stay here. Does Eddie grow any. I should love to give him a good hug tonight. You may for me. How I should like to see you and know that you are well, But for all I have not heard from you for so long I cannot feel uneasy about you I know that kind friends will do for you all that is in their power. Do not be anxious about me I shall be as well cared for as circumstances will admit.

 

If I should be sick it will be no disadvantage to me to have Claflin there (in the hospital).

 

[overwritten]

 

I wish I knew where to direct this so as to have you get it as soon as possible. But as I do not know where you are I shall direct to Medway I suppose they will forward to you I shall send by this mail a "Newbern Progress" The editor of which used to edit the "Marlboro Journal." Always remember me with my kindest regards to Addison & Mary with all your and my relatives and friends who enquire after me I feel very much easier about you as I think of you under Mary's care. I feel very glad that she was willing to take you for a boarder. If I were you I would make good long visits this winter if I could content myself as I think both at Shrewsbury and at Marlboro they would be glad to have you /

 

Is Eddie a good boy now? I feel anxious that he should be. How hard it would be if he should grow up a bad boy.

 

I know it is hard for you to be left with the whole care of him but I hope sometime to return to you and render you the little assistance I can. Does he remember yet what I told the Infant school in Marlboro? Devote as much time as you can without weariness to his instruction.

 

Does your Father continue to feel as much as when I left about my going? I feel very grateful for the interest he manifested in me. I feel sad sometimes when I think of the anxiety my Father and Mother must feel about me. I hope they will be sustained by a higher power and I hope that I may yet return to do more for their comfort and happiness than I did while at home

 

It is now time for the mail to close and I must close good by I hope to hear from you soon keep on writing I hope to get them sometime very much love goes with this letter to my dear Family

                                                                                                            Charles

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