U. S. Barracks, Brattleboro, Vt. Dec. 13th, 1863.
Dear Abiah –
This is Sunday, but I have done a hard day’s work. Two hundred men have signed the pay rolls today. Each
man has signed name on ten different rolls. There were four of us to attend to it, Barton Works, Henry Newell, Stephen Josyln and myself and I tell you it has been close work, the blunders. You now how it is about showing them where to sign. Well, imagine 200 and I took them first. It has rained hard all day, all come in as wet as rats.
Well, I must say that I am tired. Now it is night, and I am writing Power of Attorneys, to draw the seven dollars per month and town bounties. I had rather do my duty in the company. These cold nights I do not have to stand guard but for a few days past I have worked hard enough to draw $50. per month. Today I asked Capt. Brannon if we should leave here in the Spring. He said that we should not. He is a man I like first rate. He is not on his military all the time. There is nothing of it in the office. I am writing this letter by piece meal. There is another guard, a large one going to Washington tomorrow. It is pretty hard business, and one is pretty well used up
by the time he gets back. Can go without spending any money but that is pretty dry picking. It takes about 4 or 5 dollars to make the trip round. We had the first snow last night, about 4 inches.
Dec. 14th. Well, another day has passed. It is now Monday night. It has rained all day. Two more rolls to sign. That through then the paying commences, and the men have started and are on the road to Washington. Every man that was able to carry a musket – even the cook – has been on duty today. The men are worked very hard now. Well, it is hard work and poor pay. I want something better. Say the word and the wool flies. I know whereof I speak. Not now but by and by. Shall come home first and all that it may be several weeks before the thing comes round, but will quit the subject now. Shall write soon again. I believe I am getting ahead of you on letters but I don’t know. Have been in such a hubbub for a few days. That bed quilt you sent is nice. My bunk mate he can sleep so much under a quilt. He has gone to Washington now, started today. I must tell you about the pies. Well, I had not tastd some of them until last night. It was after taps so I took Gilson (that is my bunk mates name) sand cut a pite. He took a piece. I went out and when I came back he has praised it so much that the boys all wanted to buy me out and they were nearly mad because I would not sell and I was mad because they thought I would. I could have taken 40 cents a piece for them. Gilson declared that he had not eaten anything that went to the spot so much since he left home. I had a letter today from Jacob. His health is improving. Thinks he shall soon be able to rejoin his regiment, says that he has not heard from Zopher for three weeks. Tell Zopher to write me. Captain Amasa Bartlett is here recruiting for the 9th Regt. There is not ten men booked for the 10th Regt. There is a detachment going for the army of the Potomac next Thursday. That is the Cavalry 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 10th Sharp Shooters, and I do not know whether any Batteries or not. There cannot now be raised a hundred men in camp, for the detachment all want to go. In the Invalid 11th there is enough of them.
Don’t you remember a peddler that lost off a box of eggs coming up the hill below the house in Salem, and Ephraim brought them up in his hat? Well when I came here he was a sergeant on recruiting service. He is a cousin of the Twombley’s. I met him the other day with the sash on, office of the day Zopher can tell you how
they wear it. Well, I respected the commission and gave the salute all right, to Lieut. Rice. Since I came into the office I see him often, is a good sort of a man, but he has so many men under him that are just as fit for Lieutenant and more so, but such things do not go by merit altogether. I think Zopher will be promoted. Most of those now commissioned are promoted that are sent on recruiting service. A corporal of the 11th has received a commission since he came here. That cheese is first rate. I saw Cade from the Island here and sent those mittens by him and directed them to Joseph. I should be glad to write to him, but I cannot get time. He knows that I remember him just a kindly as if I wrote. I want to write to you father and mother, but the same difficulty. I shall have more leisure soon. It is useless to write how much I want to be at home. You know all about it, how I wish to be there, how I wish to see the children. There were two little boys staid in the barracks last night, bright little fellows, but camp is no place for them. You have written nothing about what you think about coming down here. Fred thinks as much of Mary Ann as I do, and you know that he is not a little. I think that I wrote you that I thought much of him; my opinion does not lessen. He is a first rate man, but is heartily sick of farming. Do write. It seems a long time since I received a letter. Can’t write any more. It is now Tuesday morning 10 o’clock. This letter was commenced Sunday evening.
Your husband,
Charles.
The recruits are going to pour in today.
