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tween us and the river to keep of the malaria & fogs and entirely retired and shut out from any other troops with a fine spout spring of cold water nearby There was almost a shout of joy as we went up yesterday to give up our rifles we are now under the immediate command only of Capt. [Buzby?] who has already made some very sensible & comfortable changes in our camp police for instance roll call now at sun rise instead of day break & sun set instead of 9 oc. P.M. I think this is more [healthy?] on the river He has made & will soon make a good many others of the same sort. We have succeeded in getting more tents too & are much more [snugly?] [paid?] than we have been since we left Glost. Pt. will begin in a few days to build our houses - though were it not for winter I now much prefer a tent to any
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house ever built for soldiers. Most of our boys went off again today to see the exchange of prisoners at Varina but every thing in camp is more [quiet?] & looks nicer & more like Sunday than I have ever seen it. There is no preaching near enough for us to attend this morning but Mr. Wyatt (my favorite preacher here) will preach for our company this evening. I was fortunate enough to get hold of a NC Presbyterian & Wm. Hoge's Sketch of Dabney Harrison (first rate) which I have read this morning also a Chris. Obs. I have not been able to get the obs. since I left Glost. Pt. except occasionally Mr. Ryland (engaged in distributing good reading among the soldiers) brings me a copy of it - he brought me the N.C. Pres. & Dabney Harrison I don't know darling if we are not much better situated
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in every respect than we have ever been since we joined the army. I feel much better satisfied more than I did at Glost. and there are many more advantages from being near Richmond. our compy will now have a wagon of its own which will go to Rmnd two & three times a week for commisary stores [etc?] & we can get anything we want at almost any time we have been living high too for several days a two horse wagon came from E&Q loaded with water melons, peaches, apples, cider, peas, chickens (etc.)too numerous to mention for our mess. Dr. Flannery says he has never seen in the army a company as well fed & as well provided with tents as ours. Dr.F. Abe & [?] Booker tent together, Sam & I and a pleasant fellow named Philip are now together & four other of our mess
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in another tent. All three of the tents are in a group & we are as one family in three rooms. I tell you all of these little things [?] because I know you will be better satisfied to know exactly how I am [paid?] & how I am [?] The court has not yet adjourned & will continue at least one week more. I will certainly be engaged that long in copying up some of the proceedings. I have become so accustomed to writing that I prefer it to anything I can do here - have generally from four to six hours writing and can choose my time for it without being confined to any particular hour of the day & with no other duty not even answer to roll call Doc. F. & I have made plans to get us a complete set of fishing tackle & have cat fish chowder for dinner every day. The season for rock
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fish has just commenced & we anticipate more sport fishing. There are a great many birds around & the boys are all writing home for their guns & dogs for bird hunting. I sometimes feel that we are having a too easy & pleasant time here when our men are suffering & undergoing so much elsewhere. I am very much obliged to you for the nice shirt you sent by Danil it was the only thing in the clothing line I wanted I have just drawn a first rate over coat from the Quarter Master it cost $10 1/2 - such a one costs in Rmnd $30 Pattie sent me by Abe a nice pair of socks & a large silk handkerchief - just the articles I needed as a few days before I had lost one of the pairs of socks you sent me. Always put my name on everything you send or I will be sure to lose it. I ĥave re-
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ceived no letter from you of later date than 6th Daniel brought one of the 3d I am right anxious for another & will be much disappointed if it doesn't come this evening or tomorrow morning. I feel that three of my hastily written letters a week are poor pay for two of your good long ones - am frequently ashamed to send mine - but know you always prize them & think of them in the same extravagant manner that you do of other things I send you sometimes Abe's & Daniel's account of you & the children makes me much more anxious than ever to see you & be with you - I do see you often Darling in my dreams awake & asleep - but I cant make our precious little Minnie's face & Charley has changed - and you - you only are unchanged & will ever be unchanged to me. (Evening) Mr. Wyatt has just come to preach for us, but will have a small
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congregation as most of our boys have gone off. I have never yet been able to make up my mind to take a Sunday trip - it is so seldom we can observe the sabbath in camp. I feel that the obligations to keep it holy is more [?] here than at home. [?] am sorry a good many of our men - Good men & [?] even - seem to think that there is nothing wrong in making Sunday a day of pleasure & sight seeing. But I must close. Direct your letters N.V. Watkins Chaffins Bluff Batteries, Care Captain Q.R. Bagby K&Q Artillery. But direct any box or bundle as before as one wagon will be constantly in [Richmond?] & we have only a mail bag & no boat from Chaffins B. landing. Much love to all. Kiss Charley & Minnie for me. If I had Charley here I would keep him with me in Camp. I had forgotten the loose tobacco I had in the new barn ask your Pa if it would be a good time to sell it - it will [?] in the way of saving my new crop Your devoted husband N.V.W.</html>
