[Dinson Caldwell served as a lieutenant in Co. H, 35th North Carolina Infantry. He later served as a private in Co. F, 63rd NC (5th NC Cav.)]

April 10th ..62
Dear Brother and Sister
I avail my Self of the
presant oppertunity to inform you of my health
I am improving very fast considring
the weather and the condition of our quarters
It has been raing here for 3 days to day apears
or has the appearance of fare weather
we are stationed 5 miles below Kinston we
are expecting to advance evry day we are
going out on pickett to morrow at 11 oclock am
we have to go 8 miles, to wards Newbern
(our picketts brought in 9 of the yankies yes=
_tarday killed 3. We lost one man, this was
the Caverley, Spruald Regt..) this is avery
Ruff Country down here Nothing but
Swamps and thicketts,, we are presing into
service all the horses they can get and
some Negroes and Waggons and teams
you have herd so mutch a bout the Battle
at Newbern I wont Say any thing about it
onley I am of the impression that a man is
harder to kill than I thought they were
but I saw a many a good fellow fall and never
breath but It never had no more affect on me
than if they were dum Bruts [1],, I have been
hiley complimented by our Col,, and major
since the Battle, and white Recd the same
that is our ordley, we are under gen Ransom
now or in his Brigade he is a very Strict Dissip=
_linarian he makes us to the mark evry time
we have to drill 6 hours Evry day and Duble
Quick ¼ of the time and only 30 muinets
of the time to Rest it is prity tight but
our Boys fatten at it they all look better than
I have seen them look since we first cam in to
Camp and our sick list is less now than it has
Ever been we have got some few tents but not
Near a nuff,, there is or appears to be a grate
Eal of Dissadfaction about our Col but I
Wont say any thing my Self about it at presant
nor give my oppinan on the matter,,
you will pleas exceps my gratefull acknoledge=
-ment fore the provisions I Recd from you at a very
Needfull hour,, and I hope you will continue
the good work,, and bring your knitting and come
and see me some time,, and see how a soilder lives
give my warmest affectionatee to all inquiring
friends and Recd the Desiered potion intended
by your affectionate Brother to your Selves
Write Soon Direct to Kinston NC, 35 Regt
Dinson .A. Caldwell
To R.C. and M J. Caldwells