GOODELL FAMILY LETTERS- #16
 

Anson to Parents

Newbern, N.C.
Camp Oliver
Tuesday June 17^th [1863]

Dear Father and Mother

            I wrote you last Monday but it is poor encouragement to write, our mail cuts up such capers of late that we know nothing where our letters are going. Perhaps they are to come back but more likely to go into the sea and have a soaking. In the mail that went from Camp Bullock Sunday, May 18^th (the date of the letter that did not reach you) I sent letter s to cousin Gould, Bro Abbott, Bro Wright, Mr. Penniman, Miss Bruce and to someone else, none of which reached their destinations. I think as I have not heard from any of them.

            Some of them may think I have stopped correspondence, however it will not be my fault. I have answered every letter received as yet. I know that you will continue to write if my letters don’t reach you so that I don’t worry if they don’t go through. They are poor things at best but I don’t wish my friend to think I am tire of corresponding or too lazy to answer their letters.

            We are at Camp Oliver as yet having but little to do and of course enjoying life the tallest kind. Our order of exercises are: Reveille or roll call at 5-30 A.M. at which time we have a pint of hot coffee then clean up our tents and street – breakfast at 6 – guard mounting at 7-30 – then if not on guard we have no duty till dinner at 12-30. We busy ourselves as we please, bathing in the river which runs near our camp, fixing up our tents with cedar & pine boughs, cleaning guns etc. At 3-30 we get ready for Division drill, form lines and march about three miles to get to our Parade ground where we arrive at 4 and find General Foster with all his Aids, Cols. Amory, Stevens, & Col. Ferraro acting Brigadiers soon bands of music and glistening bayonets are seen coming inform every direction and we have a whole army in the field.

            Our regiment having the right of the Division has comparatively little to do as in field maneuvering ours is generally the Battalion of direction so that all we have to do is establish ourselves and stand fast while the others are moving. This takes us from our camp from three to four hours. Yesterday we were out four hours and didn’t get back till late in the evening.

            It is reported in Camp that we are to have a grand review of the whole Expedition by Gen. Burnside I suppose.  This is thought by many a quite sure index of an advance on some point before long. If we go I shall be glad as well as proud to inscribe on our Banner another name perhaps Wilmington, maybe Goldsboro, or Raleigh. I see that the rebels are reinforcing their position at Goldsboro and doing their best to get ready for Burnie[1]. Our pickets are having frequent skirmishes with a squad of Cavalry that rendezvous at Trenton. The two companies that are on picket from our Reg. have not been disturbed as yet.

            There is a report on good authority that the 25^th will have their old quarters in the City in less that a week but we have heard so many rumors that we place no confidence in it. We are getting so well used to the shifts of a soldiers life that we think nothing of them till orders say move then we pack up caring but little where we go – some things I cannot get used to – the social and religious privileges which we are shut away from are missed more today than six months ago. O were it not for the great principles at stake, the great contest between right and wrong – between freedom and despotism I never would have thought for a moment of becoming a soldier but with these in view I have not for a moment repented becoming a soldier. I only wish I could occasionally lay aside military for an hour and spend it with you as you assemble to hear Bro. Wright in your new church – as you gather for evening prayer in the Vestry and also around the family altar. I think of these much and long for those privileges again. I can now appreciate their influence as never before especially the family altar where we enjoyed so many precious seasons_ be assured they are remembered. But I must close. God is with me in rich supplies of grace and though absent from the means I find sweet communion with Heaven in secret chambers of the heart. Pray for us. Anson & Edwin