Head Quarters Harland's Brig. 18^th A.C.

Near Portsmouth V^a

Sept 8^th 1863—

 

Dear Father,

                        Yours of the 31^st ult came duly to hand. Our removal of camp didn't amount to much and we are still within about five miles of the town proper. We are nearer the line of defences, and the troops practice every day or two in getting from their camps into the forts and rifle-pits. Gen Getty (Div. Commander) seems quite apprehensive of an attack, but Gen. Harland with his usual coolness remarks that he "dont think it will amount to much". By the way, it is remarkable how much his own Brigade, and in fact everybody who knows him, thinks of this said General. His Colonels perfectly worship him, and I never heard of an officer or man saying anything except in favor of him. Gen Getty is very unpopular, and I think it is partly owing to the little, mean, underhanded tricks he attempts to play on Genl. H. He only ranks him by six weeks, and is very much afraid of him. I hope to live to see the day when our Norwich Gen. will beat him. While I am on the subject I may as well say, that Genl. H. requests me to give his regards to you / and the family in general, and when I told him that Lucy was home, remarked "Remember me to her in particular". So if the girl has arrived, please give her the message. I desire to add love much and strong to her and her boy, with kisses ad libitium to both. I am ever so glad they have the opportunity of coming on. Should be very much pleased to hear from her (Lucy) while she is home—or I should say, during her visit at your house.

 

We have to-day received our first invoice from the draft, in the shape of 164 men for the 8^th Conn. Col Ward is very much delighted, as it will almost double his men for duty. The conscripts are a pretty hard set of men—most of them being professional gamblers & pick pockets. But they will find their match if they don't behave themselves in the 8^th. This Reg. has been out about thirty miles south in South Mills N.C. for a couple of weeks, and while down there, a couple of privates kidnapped a negro, and sold him to a citizen for $500.00 Confederate money. The result is that Col Ward has the whole party, soldiers, negro, and citizen in irons awaiting their trial. The negro of course is only held for the information he can give. It was a very bold thing.

 

I received a long letter from Mary Mackie the other day, giving me an account of her N.H. visit. In several places she infers that my / sister has told me such and such things, and on that account does not go into many details, which would be very interesting to me. So her letter will not be complete without one from Sallie. Please detail her to get me up a letter. I have lately had a visit of three days from a College acquaintance—a certain Higgins of '61. I came across him at the Fortress, and brought him over. He seemed to enjoy his visit very much. I am so situated that I can entertain a friend very well. If you know of anybody who would like to look around "these yer parts", be kind enough to send him along. There is an old lady in one of our camps seventy years old—mother of one of our Colonels from Hartford. She is as lively as a cricket, and went into ecstasies this morning when I sang some comic and College songs to her.

 

By the way—to change the subject—I wish Mother would send me some bed-clothes. I want three narrow sheets, like what I had in College, and a couple of quilts. If I had a couple of pillow cases, I should get a pillow. Of course anything worn a little would be acceptable. Anything in the way of thin stockings would also be in my line. I merely "heave out the suggestion", as Genl. Williams of your town would say. A box or bundle directed as my letter is headed would reach me. Don't think of anything I want in the eating line. The Genl, Goddard & I mess together, and G. & I take / turns catering—My week begins tomorrow morning. We have to ride to Norfolk to do our marketing, which necessitates rising at an early hour. So I must get between my blankets and get a little sleep. But it's very prickly I assure you!

 

I will write you if anything "turns up" in our vicinity. With much love to Mother & all hands I remain

 

Your's aff thy

Charlie—

 

I sent to Hartford for some photographs, and enclose a half dozen—Lucy may want one. Don't forget to give Miss Emily Huntington one—

 

            Col. Ward is sitting on my bed, and has taken one of the half dozen—You can send to Hartford for more if you please Col W. sends regards—

 

[overleaf]

 

Charlie

Sept 8, 1863.

SOURCES