Camp Wellington

Near Portsmouth Va Apr. 10^th 1864

 

            Sister Della.

                                    I received your letter with Lorenzo's picture in it the same day that George did but I thought it best to wait a week before answering it, although it is impossible to get any news in this out of the way place, and if it had been ever so lively a place, nothing would be seen, nor nobody stiring for we have been here two weeks and this is the third pleasend day that I have seen. but we are all right now for we have got our tent stockaded and a good floor in it so we can keep out of the mud.

 

            To fumigate the place, they took forty condemned horses from / the cavilry and took them out on to the beach close by and shot them, and there they lay for the dogs and buzzards, "but of such is life"

 

            I had a box come from home containing dried apple, cheese, butter, cookies & brown bread and the last thing the boys thought was the most Christian looking thing that was in there, but all of these fine things are not of much account to me at the present time for my stomach seems to be out of order and has for a week, but I went to the doctor this morning and got some oil with a little something else with it, and I feel decidedly better and shall be on my eat shortly. Geo. is as fat as a swine, and sits cross leged writing at the present time.

 

            The theatre at Norfolk comes over to Getteysville, about one mile from here, and plays two nights / in a week. some of our boys have been down to it but dont think it hardly payed them for their trouble. The most lively thing that is in this part is a band that belongs to a cavilry Reg^t near by.

 

            We have irish women in camp peddleing milk, apples, and buns, about as thick as they are at a cattle show or any such gathering, but every thing is so high that it dont pay to by much. milk is 20 per qr^t and not very good at that.

 

            I am much obliged to Lorenzo for his card, as I have been wishing for it some time and if he cannot write of course I am satisfied, but as soon as he can add a word to what has already been said I shall be verry thankful to receive it. he is considerably behind David / for he tends up pretty regularly, since I have been out here.

 

            Well I believe I have done about all I can this time so I bid you good by, with good wishes for your wellfare, henceforth and forever more

 

Yours respectfully

G. H. B.

SOURCES