Newbern May 31st [1863]
Dear Sister

I received a letter
form you last night dated
May 24th and was glad to hear
that you was well and was
glad to write the same of us
we are having pretty warm
weather hear now what you
northern folks would call
hot but it is about wright
for the folks here to work
without their coats on the
little nigs are lying around
in the sun and sand as thick
as toads after a shower but
we have to keep in out of the
sun to feel comfortable
the report is that we are
a goin into the city to
patrole that but
[page 2]
I hope not for they will
so strict that that we cannot
stir they are bad enough now
we have to come out on dresprade
with white gloves and shoese
blacked so we can see our faces
in them. you say that P. M.
Forward is agointo get
maried well I should think
it was about time I would
like to be thare at the ceramony
or the first night after
thare would be some noise
I would give up my guess
June 1st this is a pleasent
and cool morning I
and aldon have just ben
down to the river and had
a good wash the water
was warm and nice it
has ben so that we
could go in swiming for
[page 3]

a month past some of
the boys wer in the river
be fore we left washington
the boys are now faling
in to go to work we have
to furnish ten men to build
brestworks and six for guard
out of a company aday it
takes about half of
our men that are fit for
duty evry day thare is a
great men that are
sick with the fever ague
we see them shake here
evry day as tho they would
shake themselves to death
I have not had enny thing
of the kind yet nor dont
think that I shall have
they dont touch the southwick
boys mutch aldon has had
a few shakes but not
[page 4]
very hard Mr horner is
well and tough as a not
he is as contented as tho
he was at home I was glad
to get wallaces picture it
looks as natural as life we
never got birneys picture
that you sed that you sent
I will send a book with this
it is one that one of the boys
was agoin to throw away
so i asked him to give it
to me it is a prety good
story I bought a book down
town the other day I will
send this home when we
get it read please excuse
bad writing and spelling

From your

Brother

A Holcomb