GOODELL FAMILY LETTERS- #26
 

Anson to Parents

 Camp Pine Tree
Newbern, N.C.
Sept. 20, 1863

Dear Parents –

            It is Sunday and I am reminded that there is a little peace for me by having the Officer of the day inquire outside for the Provost Sergt.

I have quit my letter for an hour or two to pitch a tent for the Dr.'s attendant, work that could just have well been done tomorrow but the Capt. said it could just as well be done today so at it we need go. O I shall be glad if I ever get where the least reverence is had for the Sabbath. It would seem so good to enjoy the weekly service that you have the privilege of attending from Sabbath to Sabbath. Today the first exercise – clean up tents then breakfast followed immediately by Inspection then my duties as Provost of the camp, get my men together, clean up the streets and level them neatly then clean up around the Officer’s Quarters see that all the papers and rubbish flying about the camp are picked up. This morning a little starched up over nice Lieut. happened to see a loose paper a number of rods from camp, ordered me to send a man to pick it up. I wanted to ask him if he took me to be a fool or what. Just such nasty foolish orders every day remind one he is thought little less of than a dog or pack mule and that he is supposed to not know anything only what is told him. Well I am running on about my officers not a good practice for an enlisted man.

P.M. The camp is more quiet and I write more undisturbed. Edwin sets on the bank having returned from the General Hospital and is looking over his knapsack and taking an invoice of the contents. He is looking much better and gains every day and a few weeks without any drawback will remove all traces of the ravages of the fever that took much meat from his bones. He said he lost 35 Ibs in 18 days but since coming to camp he has taken on a better, more healthy color and his bones are not so prominent.

Our fare is considerable better now than it has been before for some months. Fresh beef now and then of which we get a good roast and enough beside for a good soup. Potatoes and onions are now issued in place of rice.

            We have a pig pen out in the wood to entrap wild pork running about in the forest. This gives us now and then a meal of roast fresh pork. I tell you it is a great deal better than wormy hard bread, salt-junk and boiled salt pork. We are jolly where we have enough to eat but when everything is salt we are a cross set of men. I tell you.

            Have you seen Perry of late – wish I knew where a letter would find him I would write him. The Capt. doesn’t expect Perry back for some time and just found out what a joke he played on himself for sending Perry on recruiting service. He is our Co. clerk and has been an excellent one too – we miss him now very much for we need just such a one to look after our rations.

            I hear the boys often wishing Perry back again and there don’t anyone want to see him more than I do. My health is much better than it has been for months and I hope to be tough and hearty again soon.

                                    Your dutiful sons

                                                A & E

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Love to Uncle Waldo. I f you see Waldo again give him my love and tell him to write us. We want to hear from him very much. Love to Charlie