Camp Vincent April 26th -62

      Dear Sister Mary

                      I seat myself this rainy day for the purpose of writing 
you a few lines. I thought I would have written to you sooner but 
have neglected it. I wrote to you and James the first of the year and 
have not had any answer yet. I received a letter from Lou ---------
which stated that you wished to know when I would come home – you 
would likely come to Ga then. I thought I would be there in May. Our 
furlough have played out which you apprised. I do not know when I will 
have the chance, if I do, I will let you, know, I will give you a brief 
History of our travels since I wrote last. We were stationed at Camp 
Blanchard four miles west of Norfolk from some time Dec in good comfortable
  shantys which we built for this purpose. In March our Company was 
detailed out to go to Pig Point, nine miles from said camp to take 
charge of a Battery there and drill in heavy artillery - where we 
staid about a month when we returned to our old camp, staid a few days 
when our Regt was ordered to South Mills to reenforce the 3rd Ga Regt 
which was then engaged in a fight at place

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which order was countermanded before we got off and we were ordered 
down here which is six miles from Camp B in the direction of Pig Point. 
We are in the forks of the Elizabeth  Nancymond and James river which 
form the Cheaspeak Bay which is about  20 miles wide. We are in plain 
view of the Yankees which are stationed on the opposite side of the River.  
We can see their quarters very plain with the aid of a g1ass can see the 
soldiers walking about the beach. This is a beautiful level Country. No 
rock at all. I have not seen as many as I could carry this year and not 
much   _______ as from  Fathers house to the Spring. The soil is 
generally grey, land not rich but produces very well in is worth as 
was previous to the war from $40.00 to 100.00 per acres.  We have not 
been in any battle yet though we have been called in lines several 
times for that purpose. The cooler weather here at this time than I 
ever saw in Ga at this season.  It is a cold N E rain.  The fruit trees are 
now in bloom which is about a month later than in Ga. I have given you 
about as correct a history of this country as I can in a few words so 
I will speak a little of matters and close

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My health was never better than it has been since Christmas. I weigh 
about 185 lbs. which more than I ever weighed before, Live tolrable hard 
but not more so than is common among soldiers. Our rashions consist of 
flour bacn syrup beeh shugar and until a few weeks back coffee. I do 
not suppose we will get any more of that soon. Occasionlly we get eggs at 
30 to 40 cts per dozen.  We pay the following prices Bacon 26 cts I bought 
flour _____ per bll Shugar 3 ˝ cts per lb syrup 20 cts per gal – you know 
we get provisions at what the government has to pay free of transportation 
so we get shugar and syrup at very low prices – I hear from home about 
once a week all well at last accounts I recd a letter from Harriet 
the other day. All well there I have not heard from bro. John in two 
months.  He was leaving Pensacola then and told me not to write to him 
until heard from him again.  If you hear anything from him let me know.  
I got acquainted with two of our cousins  here I never saw before 
viz. John Campbell -–William Smith. He is son of Cous. David Campbell and 
he is son of Cousin Mary who father raised – She is dead. They are very 
clever young men.  They belong to the 3rd Ala Regt Stationed near here, 
they come to see me occasionaly  and stay all night seemed anxious for my  
acquaintance here in this foreign land.

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I have no more war news _________ you.  There is a big battle expected 
at Yorktown some twenty five miles from here – there is a large force there on 
both sides. 
Please write soon as I would be very glad to hear from you.  Tell James 
and John to write to me.  I just write this for you all it unnecessary 
brief.  The one letter has all the news I have.  Everything is very dear 
here in the way of clothing.  I will have to get me a new suit which will 
cost me about $75.00. I will close for this time.  It is yet raining.  Will 
not have to drill any today.  Write to Lieut. A. H. Campbell Comp. C 
22nd Regt Ga. Vols Portsmouth VA – John Hays old man Baty, E L Forsyth 
and James Forsyth were discharged and went home the other day. The Company 
is well with the exception of colds.

Your Bro. With affection

A. E. Campbell