One mile east of Wilmington

March 5^th 1865.

 

Dear Ina,

                        I wrote you yesterday and today I send Ada by mail the best collection of sea shels that I found on Cape Fear. perhaps they will please her and Willy. The fortions of war ar very fluctuating. we supposed that the 112^th would stop at the pontoon bridge a few weeks at least. we had just finished good quarters and works. Orders came last evening to march. we came here last evening expect to draw 5 days rations and march Monday morning early, we think in the direction of Goldsboro which is 96 miles from Wilmington and in N.C. Rumors ar that / General Sherman is within 40 miles of this place and is moving N. East perhaps will form a junction with General Schofield at Goldsborrough 96 miles from Wilmington Our Reg^t were orderd to leave their overcoats. I slept pretty cool last night but am alive this morning. I think I am good for a few more cold nights. perhaps I will make up for all loss time and cold nights in the fall. I herd last evening for the first that Emmons Mathews has written to his Parrents. I should think he would know somthing about the other missing men.

 

March 6^th A large force are with us and I am now snugly seated in my tent and writing by candle light and wish to answer your letter that I recieved of / of yours dated Feb 4^th I have recieved yours of later date. I am muched pleased to learn that all ar well and that David has taken the cource that he has. I fear he has failed from the fact that it would be very trying to do his duty after Father came home. I do hope he had couriage to break the ice. let me know the results. I neglected to state that we ar about 16 miles N. East of Wilmington, have not herd of a rebel this day. We ar onward I think to Golsboro. I must go to bed as we march at daylight I am well. good night dear wife

 

                                                                                                            90 miles N. East

of Wilmington March the 7^th. I have just come in from prayr meeting which was held / at our own fire. I am very tired the marching was hard as the roads ar very sandy. It appears that we ar on our way to Newbern N.C. We herd today that Mobile with 22000 bales of cotton is in our hands also that Richmond is vacated and that General Sherman took one Division and General Boreguard with it. Rather to many goods for a penny ar to be true. The day was quite warm

 

March 8^th We left the Goldsboro road to our right ar now on the Kingston road, which place is 30 miles east of Goldsboro. It rained this afternoon arived to camp at dusk it is a soldiers luck. I am not feeling real well. I think Ill be all right in the morning. We expect to march at 6 Oclock in the morning.

 

March 9^th We came in camp a little before night. The day has been pleasant I am quite well but very tired. It did not rain today

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