Camp Schouler

Suffolk Va June 6^th 1862

 

Dear Sister

                        I will now write you a few lines as I have a few spare moments. You have no doubt herd before this that we are in Suffolk. Orders came on Monday night about twelve oclock to pack up and be ready to start in the morning to take three days rations with us. We were on guard (or Patroll) over in the City of Portsmouth Monday night and after traveling about all night you may judge we did not feel much like marching we susposed when we left that we were going to Suffolk but were not sure of it.

 

We left our old camp at 6½ and started for Suffolk it was an awful hot day and there was not a breath of air stiring. our march was through a woods most of the way. The roads were mudy and the water was deep in some places which caused our feet to blister and chafed badly we rested but little on the way. We had no idea when we left that we should march through that day the 16^th was part of three days but Col (I made a mistake and wrote on the wrong page go by the numbers) /

                                                                                                                                   

Pierces orders were to come through if it was a possible but they did not expect we could. The men were very tired when they arrived here which was at 9½ PM. by the boards the distance from our camp is 25 miles but the citizens here say it is 27 and I should think it was. We carried our knapsacks which would weigh from fifty to sixty lbs besides our rifles rations Equipments &c some of the boys paid $2½ to have their knapsacks carried a dozen miles by the blacks others paid a big price for a mule team to carry them. Many gave out on the way and the Doctor thinks many will not recover from the effects of the march. the sweat poured off of us all the way. There were not more than twenty houses on the way. This I think is a very handsome little town the Citizens call it a City. I have not been about town yet so I have not seen the sights. We are encamped where the 3^d Georgia Regt was a few weeks ago. there is no mistake but that the Mass 16 was in great danger here alone an attack is expected here it is them fit the fight / at richmond will effect this post. Howards battery came up yesterday It has rained ever since we came here. We came off guard this morning I think I shall not find time to write much as we will go on guard every third day It is a little tough. There is only one Union man in this place Gen Dix has taken command of this department. I am glad Wool is away from here. Col Wyman acts as Gen here he gives some good orders and so I judge he is a smart man I suspose there has been hard fighting at Richmond I received Mary Js letter yesterday with the stamps also one from Andrew I am well also Walter Seth and Mr Plinney they send their respects. You must excuse this as I am in a hury write often. I will if I can Excuse mistakes as the mail soon goes I must wind this up. cars run from Portsmouth here there are no regts at Newport News the barracks are filled with wounded from Mcclellans / army there are eleven hundred and twenty five there I must close my love to all I am all right. I cant write more at present we expect to move again soon

 

                                                            From your Aft Bro

                                                                                    S C Wright

 

            Direct Via Fortress Monroe

            6 oclock PM We are now in Portsmouth one half of our regt waiting for the rest to come down in the cars. We are off for Richmond I am all right and eager to go if I chance to be shot you may have the consolation of knowing I died in a just cause but fear not all will come out right orders came at noon my love to all in haste I shall leve this with our sutler in Portsmouth

 

                                                                                    Yours truly

                                                                                                S C Wright

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