Portsmouth V^a

July 28^th 1863—

R. 28

 

Dear Father,

                        Yours of the 20^th & 22^nd inst. have been received—each two days after date of mailing. This is not a great way from home, you see—in fact it is nearer than when I was at Stafford C.H. Nothing new has transpired in this Department since my last. Gen Harland is temporarily in charge of all the troops in and about Norfolk and Portsmouth. I have nothing whatever to do and spend most of my time in reading. I (alone of all the staff) mess with the Genl. and we get along very pleasantly.

 

I forgot to mention in my last letter that I had met your friend of the Christian Commission, Mr. Kimball. He is quite agreeable and has called on me once or twice. At present he is stationed at the Naval Hospital in this place. He speaks in the highest terms of Dr Fisher. I regret exceedingly that I am / not at home to help entertain Cousin Mattie. I do not remember her very distinctly, not having seen her since I was quite little, but am certain I should like her. Please intimate to her the propriety of making her next visit when a quorum of the family are at home.

 

The list of drafted men from Norwich, which I saw in the Weekly Courier, amused me very much. Cha^s E. Dyer, Dr. Gulliver, E. B. Trumbull, Russell Lewis, Joshua Yeomans and John A. Sterry (Esq') especially caused me laughter. Valiant soldiers they would make, truly

 

 It would seem as if the General when once started on a gadding tour never would stop. Much success to her in her raid among the mountains of the North. My advice to her, is, if she wants to go to Boston, but cant quite pluck up the courage to mention any point farther than Worcester, to get some innocent and unsuspecting young man to buy her a ticket, and check her baggage to the first-named place, and then attribute the terrible blunder to the aforesaid young man's stupidity. She's a wily one—the General is.

 

I don't remember during the whole course of my life a hotter day than this. But with a good salt-water breeze and all sides of my tent up, I manage / to keep tolerably cool. This morning before the sun got very high, I took a sail, and found myself quite proficient in navigation. The truth is, that I shall be very willing to serve my country at this point during the continuance of the war. If I supposed I could make much in the studying line down here, I would send for some elementary law-book and begin to prepare myself for my profession, but probably the attempt would not amount to much.

 

            You know, perhaps, that Mr. Stanley Trot, once Post master of New London, is now P.M. at Norfolk and that Mr. Geo. Stedman married a Miss Trot. Mr. S. is expected here to-day or to-morrow, and the Genl. who visits the Trots, is going to take me over there. It will be very pleasant to have so nice a place to visit. There are a good many northern merchants here and in Norfolk. Maj. Crosby, of the 21^st Conn. is Provost Marshal of this Dept. with Head Qrs at Portsmouth. He is a good soldier, while his hospitality to your son at the White House proves him to be a gentleman. I have sent word to New Haven to have my surplus photographs sent to you. Please remember that one is promised to Geo. Perkins (He of the Draft), and one to Miss Emily Huntington of the / Landing. With these exceptions I don't care what disposition is made of them.

 

It is getting too dark to write, and there are too many bugs about to light a candle, so I will wish you a Good Night. With much love to the family, Couzins Harriet & Mattie (why couldn't the latter send me her carte-de-visite, and write a letter to her soldier-relative?) I remain your aff son

                                                            Charlie.

 

[overleaf]

 

Charlie

July 28/63

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