Mrs. Geo. A. Frick      Danville          Letter              Camp in Portsmouth, June        1862.

 

Dear Aunt:—

                        Being comfortably seated in the office of this Depot and not knowing how soon we will leave it, I will penn a short letter to you.

 

The 1^st Delaware Regt. being ordered to Suffolk yesterday, we were ordered to take their place, to guard the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth. We are stationed in the above named city with four three other companies, the remaining six are doing guard duty at Norfolk.

 

This is a delightful place to quarter, and we are satisfyed to remain as long as it is a military necessity to guard these places. we have comfortable "bunks" to sleep on, and everything handy. This building was formerly used as a Depot for the Seaboard Railroad. at high tide the water comes under the building and besides affording us a fine place to bathe. We enjoy a very fine breze from the river, which is much appreciated these hot days.

 

The Orderly and myself have a fine room with a sofa, desk, chairs and table in it, besides two windows and a door so arranged as to have a fine draft through it. It is a Paradise when compared with the camp we left, in a corn field, with mud ankle deep.

 

Three Regts embarked here last night and set sail this morning, wither they went is known only to those entitled to the knowledge. We suppose they went up the James river to reinforce M^cClellan as it is wimpered here that he has his match in the Rebel Capitol. However they embarked on large ocean steamers, and some say they are bound for New Orleans.

 

I received your letter also one enclosed by Ella which will be answered as soon as an oportunity offers. I am reminded of the fact that Al has not received a letter from me for some time. Now, I will simply state that Al has owed me a letter for some time; but I do not make that an excuse for not writing her. The Captain writes her regularly and perhaps more interesting letter than I could, giving her the news in regard to myself, which should be satisfactory, Anna, and especially Em are should be remembered the former is aware that I write as often as possible and answer all her letters, the latter I do not expect her to answer all of them, and knowing the great pleasure it gives her to receive a letter I have selected her frequently to be the recipient of a letter. Besides when an army is in the field a soldier cannot do as he would wish, sometimes he has neither paper nor ink, and frequently it happens that the mail is not taken because of the unsettled condition of the Regt. When we first came to Norfolk soldiers offered six cents for a half sheet of paper and five cents for the use of ink to write a letter. Now I am writing with borrowed ink, confiscated paper, besides stealing time. If I can get an envelop and get it mailed I will be glad of it. It gives me pleasure to write and if I could I would write to all every day.

 

There is nothing of important going on in the Division, that we know of. The first Regt in our Brigade is standing in the next street in full marching dress, what it means I am unable to say, unless it is simply orders to march.

 

The Captain and myself are enjoying good health.

 

One of our men, from Willkesbarre shot his finger off in the woods the other day. It  was the first acident that has happened in our company since we were are in the service /

 

It has turned out as I feard, these quarters are to comfortable. I just learned that the orders of the 1^st Delaware have been countermanded and they are coming back, they say, to this place. We have not received any new orders though, and we will remain until we do. The rain is falling quite freely and if we have to return to the corn field I think there will be some dutch swearing going on

 

We were payed off again the other day. I will send thirty dollars as soon as I can. It won't do to send money in letter after payday for they are often opened and the contents lost.

 

Remember me to all inquiring friends

 

My kindest regards to Uncle Sallie    With much love to all I remain as ever

                                                                        Your affec Nephew

 

                                                                                                Heber [?]

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