2006.002.0016 Civil War Letters Wing Family Head Quarters 118th Regiment Suffolk. Virginia.

. Saturday April 25th 1863. Dear father & mother. as I have a good oppertunity I will improve it by writing you. I arrived here the next day after the Regiment did. George Norris probaly told you I remained back for the purpose of getting some baggage which belonged to our Company Officers. We are right in sight of the Rebbs now. they are under GenL Longstreet yesterday We were ordered out and had quite a skirmish. that is some other regiments the 169th CW.G. lost several killed & wounded we were held as reserves. last night one Battery kept up a constant fire. We are about 39 miles below Fortress Monroe and 15 miles this side of the Black Water. we are on the shores of the Wansemond river. Gen Peck is commander of the post we are briggaded with some Conneticut regiments but their numbers I do not know. Gen Longstreets house is in Suffolk and he declares that he will eat in said house before many days. Colonel Richards did not come with the regiment. Capt Norris is acting Major The boys are in the best of spirits and we never felt more contented. We have drawn our shelter tents and every little while some one of the boys will sing out to another what are you doing out there get in to your dog hut. this is a beautiful country and as far as I have seen the mud is not so plenty when it rains as it is with Gen Hooker. we have had rain now for the last three days yet there is very little mud. We do not stay long in one place. yesterday we packed every thing and took it with us. by night we were back a gain. on many days eather the rebbs or our men will get a severe whipping. Yesterday we drove them in to their fort capturing and killing quite a number. Yesterday while we were acting as reserve we recd quite a compliment from a Gen his name I did not learn as he the Gen. was passing by Our Colonel remarked to him that the 118th would have no chance for a brush. the Gen. remarked to him, saying Colonel, are you are not aware that you hold a very honorable position the reserve is always composed of the best regiments: Edd has managed to get the large box you sent us

while in Maryland so far there were a few Commisary stores in it. but. more the box was mostly occupied by Edds and mine my things Coporal Vantassel left my pistol with a fellow by the name of Call Davis he is a boatman. I wish some of you would see him and get it but I suppose you cannot send it to me for I am affraid it would not come through. I am affraid this letter will not reach you when you write direct to Washington also. encamped near suffolk virginia Edd and myself are well I will write whenever I can. love to all aff your son. G.H. Wing