Camp Lanman, Nov 4^th, 1862.

 

                        My Dear Wife;

                                                Yours of the 30^th ult I rec'd this morning just as the drum beat for Co drill—I hurriedly slipped it into my pocket to take my place in ranks for the two hours hard work—such a two hours—I thought they were puting us through one half hour extra just because I had an unread letter in my pocket. If I went through all the evolutions and manuel of arms corectly it is not attributable to strict attention; for half the time I believe I never heard the commands, My Dear! I do not wish you to think that you have in the least thing ever failed to do the duty of a good wife. You have already done too much and I have thoughtlessly asked an additional tax upon your physical strength at a time when I should have considered circumstances and thought to better purpose. You ask my forgiveness—For what? I feel that you have rec'd the injury, and I ask your pardon and hope you will grant it. I hear my name called for fatigue duty and I must put away my pen and paper for the present. Five hours later. Since writing the above I have been very busy / I worked three hours with the spade, then, at the call, took my place in ranks for Battalion Drill (Owing to the similarity in the sounds, the boys have changed the latter phrase to "Black Salion Drill".) I have just now been released till Dress Parade which will be in about twenty five minutes and if I do not get this into the letter-box before Dress Parade you will not get it this week. David is no better and I cannot see that he is any worse, though the Surgeon told him this morning that he would be apt to have a spell of the fever if he did not take very good care of himself. Jim Long is on the sick-list. All the other neighborhood boys are well. We rec'd our shirts drawers and haversacks today. We lack nothing now to make out our entire suit of clothing but hats or caps and overcoats. Our quartermaster was up to Davenport for the purpose of getting the remainder of our clothing but returned unsuccessful. He says we can not get any thing more in the clothing line for several days yet and the Col says we shall not leave Camp Lanman till we are entirely equiped, if he can help it. Cyrus got here about fifteen minutes after I mailed my last letter to you and started back yesterday morning. I sent a couple of miniatures by him. One is Dave and I together, in the other / I am alone. The reason he is not in both, is, that Dave could not get a pass to town the same day that I did it. Dave's picture I think is good and I do not believe could be bettered in a dozen tryals, but both of mine are poor. One was taken with a small camera with the focal distance so close that it rec'd the light from the under side of my chin and gave my head the appearance of being thrown back although I held it natural. The other was taken by another artist with an instrument about two feet sqare and a long focal distance so that the light from the extremities of the body did not have to converge so much to enter the camera as in the first case: but in this picture one foot is blured and my hair was too long. I did not like the idea of haveing one foot shot off so soon. I am sorry that I have not time to write more. I have already missed my supper and I am expecting to hear the call for Dress Parade every minute. I must be quick and mail this or it will be too late.

 

                                                                        Your very affectionate husband,

                                                                                                            Enos Reed.

 

 

Nov 6^th

            Last Tues evening the expected call did come before I was ready for it. I had enveloped this and was backing it when to my / mortification the drum rattled and again I had to drop my pen and take my place in ranks. As soon as Dress Parade was over I went to the P.O. but the mail had gone sure enough. I then enquired of the by-standers if they knew of any man that had a pass to town? some one answered that the Orderly sargeant of Co F was going to town. I found the sargeant and gave him my letter which he promised to mail for me; but the next morning he gave the unfortunate letter back and said that he forgot to mail it.

 

I got no letter from you this morning and am afraid that I will not hear from you till next Tues. David is no better. Since my last letter to you another one of our Co died. I am on guard today and Coony is cooking. The weather is cool. Last Sun morning we had a brisk little snow storm.

 

Tell Harvey that I just must have that letter from him. Nothing more at present.

 

                                                                        Yours as ever,

                                                                                                Enos Reed.

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