Camp. 8th Vet. Vol. Inft July 28 A.M. Dear All, Yours dated 23d & mailed 25th recd this morning & I am in doubt where I ought to direct this. I think you must have sent the valise as you write that you forgot the ink stand. I do not understand why you have recd - no letters- for eleven days as I have written much oftener than usual. since writing for the valise I have every day or two thought of some thing else that I wanted & therefor have written a line. I wrote once for a pair of boots & as Ellen wrote that she should do nothing about the valise until you returned from Litchfield I had really hoped that that letter would reach you before the valise started & so had quite set my mind on the boots but I dont care they probably would not have fitted and I can make out with Governments. Dont try to buy the boots in Norwich if you get the letter, for I know you cannot get such ones as I want there - they are only found where there are troops. You are very kind to send the cans of fruit &c. I am afraid that cost a good deal. Our Hospital Steward has several times brought me lately cans of fruit peaches & strawberries and in fact we cannot complain of our present rations. we can now buy of our commissary new potatoes, onions, beets & turnips & pickles. I think I have never lived better in the army than the last week - have had black berries a number of times & the Doctor occasionally hands us a package of tea & can of milk that he gets of the Sanitary Com. Commanding the Regt I can live cheaper & much better than as a company officer. I have been surprised at the number of little nice contributions we have recd (Adjt & my self) Bread is the poorest of any thing - quite stale. I am so glad you had such a delightful visit at Litchfield, wish Ellen & I could have been with you - wouldn't that have been bully. Well my three years are almost out & I may be with you then. I do not think my muster holds after the expiration of the present term and I do not intend to remain as captain and be obliged to associa to as an equal among such a set of line offs as we bid fair to have the next term. I do not think col. ward regards the appointments he is now making as he would if he was on duty with the Regt and he is not willing to give a moments thought to any thing. I do think in order to keep the Regt up even to the old standard there should be some civilian appointments. Many of our best officers will undoubtedly leave the service in September & October & with those who have been killed [1] & disabled (& - the bullets have taken the most valuable officers in the Regt. -) the remaining ones will be men with whom I can have no real fellowship, men who can not write a passable letter or keep their Ordinance & Camp & Garrison accounts. (I hope my papers have reached you safely.) We have no men in the ranks to fill the vacant places. We are having abundant rain lately & find them decidedly refreshing tho' life in the pits in a rain storm is about as disagreeable as any thing can be. It's almost impossible to drain them thoroughly. Our news consists almost entirely of rumors & its useless to repeat any of these. A portion of the army is busily engaged in mining the Reb works. One or two mines are said to be completed - we have none on our front as the ground we occupy is unfavorable. As we mine I presume the Rebs countermine. I enclose a beautiful rose bud picked by Lt. Foss in the house yard that the pits which we occupied yesterday run through. He says I must send it in his name. I wish it could reach you in its present freshness. I cannot account for my not previously refering to our change of commanders. We have felt deeply concerning it. Genl Smith was really beloved by all his troops & all had perfect confidence in his abilities and were ready to go where ever he ordered. Why he of all men should have been relieved no one can imagine except that he was not on good terms with Burnside & Hancock so we hear. smith was one of the officers dismissed by Burnside's order after the battle of Fredericksburg (p5, sheet2) You remember Genl B. issued an order dismissing several Genl officers but the President did not approve therefor Burnside asked to be relieved himself. why cannot our Generals work harmoniously I shall like to know - If reports are true they are fighting like cats & dogs all the time. I do believe this is one reason for our small success. Each so jealous of the others. Genl Ord I met at his Hd. Qts. The day he assumed command of the Corps. I spoke only a word with him, I was Div off of Day & answered for our Division, but I heard him talk considerably - was not particularly pleased, he does not look at the person he is conversing with, his appearance is soldierly but not particularly great. He has a good reputation I believe & I hope we shall like him. The sardines that you write you have sent will be most acceptable - have not seen any for a long time. For reading matter if you could occasionally send me any paper covered literature that you like & that I can throw away after reading. I should [2] like it. Dont want any thing heavy. Col. Ward is in command this much, he sends up orders that he wished in the way of promotions &c and I consult him if I wish to & he is responsible for all Regimental property & I my Co. property but I sign all ordinary orders & all Returns & Reports. The Colonel is not with the Regt either at the front or in camp and is reported sick. Don't repeat what I write about matters in the Regt or what I have written about Generals for I write you almost as ^freely as I think. - P.M. - Give very best love always excepting the "dear all" to uncle Geo & Aunt Mary & thank Aunt M. for the papers. Time for me to send the mail bag off & I must close. Remember me to every body in Norwich. Shall I see them all in a couple of months I wonder. Best love Affct son & bro Chas