Dear Parents,

I once more take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well. We left our old camp last Tuesday. We are now at Camp Andrews about three quarters of a mile south of
Newbern on what used to be the Fair Grounds. It was a Rebel Camp. It is finely laid out. The tents are wall tents and there is fireplaces built for everyone so they are very handy and comfortable. The Rebels build all of their chimneys of pine sticks and clay, built in cob house fashion, It was pretty dirty but we have got it about clean now.

We cook most of our victuals ourselves. We have flour of which we make a cake. It would not seem very good at home but it is a great rarity for us. We ate hardtack for so long. We had it from the time we left Annapolis till we came here. I have not ate but one Irish potato since we left Annapolis. We had some sweet potatoes we got at a plantation. We have lived very hard since we left Annapolis. On Roanoke we lived well; as long as the Rebel stuff held out and then we had nothing but 12 crackers, coffee and a little meat or something of that sort for dinner. Now we live first rate. We can get butter at the suttlers for forty cents a pound and cheese for twenty cents. We have to go on guard duty every other day. It takes 100 men to guard the camp and we have 30 pickets thrown out a few miles to keep from being surprised. The bridges have been burned and the roads so obstructed that it would be hard for them to take any of the Expedition by surprise.

Beaufort was surrendered soon after Newbern without any fighting. There is a United States fort of 140 guns there. The Third Brigade are there. The First and Second Brigade are all around Newbern. The 25th Massachusetts is in the city. The 11th Connecticut are near us in barracks. We cannot leave camp without a pass, neither privates nor officers. Three of the 10th Connecticut boys are said to have been taken prisoner by the enemy pickets. I have not been into the city yet but have been close to it, enough to see part of it. The Regiment are going up there this afternoon but I am on guard. I shall try to get a pass. 

Some days the enemy are said to be 25 miles off now. One of the calvary come in and gave himself up today. I suppose we shall be reinforced soon and then push on. I don't think our regiment ought to go into battle again. There is not 500 men fit for duty. There is a great many sick besides the wounded. I am well myself and have been but am liable to be as any of them.

I have no stamps and don't know but I shall have to make a soldier's letter of it. If you will send me some, I will write pretty often. I ought to have bought more at Annapolis but I did not know but I could get them here. Fred Aldrich, Bill Draper, George Gillien and I are in a tent together. I do the cooking. I think I shall be a pretty good housekeeper by the time I get home.

We have not been paid since the first of January. There is three months back pay due us up to the 19th of this month. I don't know when we shall get paid. I don't think of much more write. I should like much to see you all and I hope to soon. My love to you all.

Goodbye for this time,