Camp 8th La Inft, Reg of A.D. May 28, 1863Sarah A,
Last Sunday I received quite a batch of letters from you, James, and Lee. The first I have got for a long time. Some of them was old and some new. I am always so glad to get letters from home, more especially since I left the Reg, for all the news I get from home or any place else is from letters. I never see a paper. You said you supposed it was no use writing the news, as I could read it in the papers. You are mistaken, I scarcely ever see a paper. My Company was on picket guard from Saturday morning till Sunday morning. We got along very well, only the mosquitoes was so desperate bad at night, I could not sleep one minute. I had nothing to lie on, but an oil cloth and two boards. The darkeys make very good guards. They are just afraid enough to be very watchful. There is considerable sickness in the Reg, and from two to four dying a day. We have not drawn the clothing, blankets, or shoes yet. We are looking every day. I think it will be here this week. We are still drilling six hours a day. We are going to have Battalion drill. It will be our first. I guess I will make a bungling thing of it, but I know I can soon learn, and I will make a bold face of it, and put her through.
©2006 C.S. Parkinson