Camp Butler, Newport News Va Nov 26 1861

 

Dear Sister

                        I will now write a few lines as I have a few spare moments. We still continue to have cold weather. We have had ice but it was very thin. Gen Phelps has left us, and Gen Mansfield of the regular Army has taken command of this post. Gen M—is older than Gen Phelps his hair is long and white as snow and his face is covered with whiskers as white as his hair. I understand that he is a strict old fellow. I think we shall make a move from this place but where to or what for I know not. But as Gen Phelps is going with Gen Butler I should not wonder if we / went also. I would like to go farther south, but I hate to leave our houses now they are built. But soldiers cannot have what they want always. I went to the fort the other day the flowers are still in bloom in there it is warmer there as the wind does not get in there much from the Parade ground to the top of the ramparts it is all of seventy five feet. last week there was six Regt^s arrived there and three hundred and sixty cavalry on Monday three steamers load arrived of Cavalry. Limon Clinshill still works in the machine shop. Walter and Mr Plinney and Seth are well. I am on duty now. There are four Gun boats and two men of war here now. I understand that there were four thousand of our men / left this morning to take a battery up big Bethel way, one Regiment from here. I had my picture taken the other day and sent it home with orders for it to be sent to Mary Jane in the course of two or three weeks. It does not look well as my left eye looks the same as usual about half as large as the right one. another thing there was no stove where it was taken and the cold crackled the plates and made my coat look crackly, but otherwise it is good enough I did not have it taken with my hat off as my hair has been cut and will not lay smooth. It is an Ambrotype on the copper plate so as to send it in a letter I had on only my side arms and part of my Equipments with my revolver and [?] / knife on as usual. the breast plate on the strap did not show the N S as it was to bright. I could have had it taken larger standing up for $2 this was $1. tell the folks I was shot in the eye by a rebel. I receive the papers you send the Waverly Magizene had the best stories of any paper that I have had since I came out here. tell the Briggs girls and all of the rest that I am so [?] they must excuse my not writing as I have so many to write to. I got a letter from Isaac the other day. Give my respects to all. Write soon. Excuse this as I wrote in a hury. Seth sends his respects he sits side of me reading.

 

                        Write soon

                                    From your Brother

                                                S C Wright

 

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No liquor of any kind cider also is allowed to be sold, the Com came in force this day as there was a great deal of drunkenness here since they were paid off (All boxes are to be opened

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