Camp Butler

Newport News Va Apr 24^th 1862

 

Dear Sister

                        As I have a few spare moments I will devote them in writing to you. I have nothing new to write and not much time to write so you must excuse this. I should not have writen at all, had I not thought you would not know what to make of it if I did not write this week.

 

            We are having a fine day. it has been pleasant for the past three days. before the weather was poor for a week. I am well, so are Walter and Mr Plinney. I herd from home yesterday they were all well. I also received Lydias letter. I will write to her as soon as I get a chance. I guess this letter will be about as lengthy as yours and Lydias have been of late. I do not like to find fault but it does not pay to send a small sheet of paper only half writen over, six hundred miles. Every word from home tells out here no matter what it is about. Josiah Thompson was in the bombardment of Fort Poulaski he said it made his ears / ring at first, but he soon got used to it. I know something about it myself.

 

            We have not herd much from Yorktown of late. A continual roar of cannon is plainly to be herd there to day. two Rebel gun boats are all in sight now about eight miles up this river towards Richmond. The Golena has arrived at the Fort. she reached there at 11½ oclock AM it is now about 1 PM. All were glad to hear of her arrival. The Merrimac will now have to look out for herself. Yorktown will be an awful tough place to take but it will be ours. We expect every hour to have orders to march. The trees are all in full blossom here and everything looks fine. we have been looking for Sergt Jenks for two weeks. We expect him now in the next boat. Walter sends his respects to all. I hear you are having plenty of water in Springfield. I have been on drill this forenoon and shall have to go on again this afternoon. The time has changed in drill. now we turn out in the morning about 4½ oclock breakfast at six guard mounting at 8 drill from 9 to 11 Dinner at 12 drill in the afternoon from / 3½ to six dress parade at ¼ before sun down Supper just before dress parade. Rool call at 8½ lights out at 9. I forgot to state that the Golena got aground off Cape Henry and fears were entertained of her safety but all is right now. Tomorrow Friday is the day set for the Merrimac to come out. let her come. I received the papers you sent. Did you get the last picture I sent. I am all ready to go to Yorktown. Gen Mcclellan gave orders yesterday to shoot every man that showed himself Pickets or not as the rebels broke the agreement made by shooting several of our pickets. I will quit untill night before I finish this. (7 oclock PM)

 

                                                                        I will now finish this letter I have been on drill and dress parade and eaten my supper. There has been a continual roar of cannon towards Yorktown. Seth sends his respects he is about well. Sylvenus Thomas has been discharged on account of sickness. I suspose that the tailoring buisness is good now. there is so much Army work. We all got new pants to day, light blue. the ones we had before were dark blue. I will close my respects to all, write often. We cannot tell where we shall be one week from now Well I will stop. Excuse this as I am in a hury.

 

                                                                        From your Affectionate

                                                                                    Brother            S C Wright

                                                                                                Co E 29 Mass

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