Letter to his Family from New Bern, NC. He recounts more experiences had while infirm. Also talks about fighting with the south by a fort(probably Fort Macon, judging by the date)
Island Apr 10th 1862
My Dear parents and Brother
Once more I take my pen in hand to write to you once more I received you letter of the 2nd and last night and was glad to hear from you but was sorry to hear that George was sick with the measles but he is not in the army to have them. I am with the Regt once more we are on Bogues Island. We moved across the sound a few days since to be nearer to our work. I left a few days after I wrote you last I found the encamped about 20 miles from in a small place across the sound from Beaufort We had a very pleasant camp there but we left that for the Island where there is scarce any vegetation except and a few scrubby cedars the Island is very narrow and sandy. I have got to stop for now they have just called me to go on picket guard. I have returned from picket this morning the 7th and now I will try to finish my letter. We had a pleasant time for days after we came across we had quite a time with the rebbles. They send 5 companys from our regiment to drive the rebbels pickets and hold a position near the fork which we did through saturday until sunday morning amidst the explosion of bomb shell from the fort which passed just over our heads and burst within a short distance of us some of the pieces coming pretty near us one piece passed under one mans leg as he was sitting on the ground and struck his gunbarrel with such force as to break it. We were relieved on Sunday morning by another squad which were relieved the next morning and so on while they were building the battery which is nearly completed. It is the 5 11 inch mortars 3 8 inch and 3 long 32 pound rifled siege guns their range is 5 miles and the battery is within a mile of the fort they shoot steel pointed wrought iron balls which we imagine will do some executing if they are well aimed which I think they will be. Probably we shall have some more work in a few days but it will be mostly with the artillery I think about those shirts I shall not them I drew some new ones which were due me day before yesterday. I will let you know if I need them we were payed off a few days ago and last night the Express agent came in camp with envelopes. Lieut. Roberts got some of him and I sent Father in a package to Albin Ferris with and Hilliard change is very scarce her so I did not pay the express you can go to and get it and use it if you want it or do what you think best with it. I want you to use some of it for me When George gets well I want the Daguerreotype of Father and you and George in one case you and Father in one side and George in the other and send it to me by mail or express as you think best the express does not come any farther than Newburn. I think it would come as safe by mail so anyway and I think of going down to the this afternoon and take a bath in the salt water it is but a few steps from camp if I had any way to send them I would send you some of the shells that lay strewn along the beach I have some in my napsack which I shall bring home with me if I come the oysters are plenty here also clams all they cost is the time of digging them. We have another article I have not mentioned and that is Salmon trout at five cents apiece I shall have to close for the drum has beat for dinner. So good by for this time.
From you affectionate son
Charles D. Garlick
P.S. Direct to Charles D. Garlick
Co I 8th Regt. C. V.
Third Brigade
Burnsides division
Newbirn N. C.
Give my respects to all
P. S. Tell Grandpa that we had a foot race with the rebbles the other day I thought when I was at home I could run some but these southern sand pipers beat all the running I ever saw the other day when we were chasing them over the sand hills when we got a sight at them they were bobbing over the sand knoles like so many toads they were far in advance and gaining all the time and hollowing come on you damed yankees I guess they found us coming (I do) You spoke about some secesh I have got a secesh Testament which I will send if I have a chance. Charles Irwin was sent home recruiting perhaps you will have a chance to see him.
Charles D. Garlick
