Dear Charley

     I should have written to you sometime ago but that I have waited for the arrival of the box. At last I am able to say it has come. The vessel on which it first was shipped put back to Fortress Monroe in distress and after waiting there ever so long, started again, ran aground and threw ever so much freight overboard finally arrived here and was sent straight off to Beaufort to discharge there. So instead of being surprised at its taking so long to reach me, the wonder is the box arrived at all. The mince pie had "suffered a sea change" but Everything Else was in good order. I shall set our cook at work on the con-

tents of one of the cans tomorrow
     Thank Mrs Leavitt most heartily for me for her Kindness in preparing them. Give my thanks too to Mrs Biddle, Miss Holmes and Miss Brown. The latter's candlesticks are a big thing. and the drinking cup which I believe is from Aunt Betsy is a very big thing indeed and will be a great convenience when on picket, from which by the way I returned last night and in consequence still feel stupid. Dont forget Elta & Lily in making my acknowledgements. A couple of christmases hence I may be able to send some bonsbons for the little chicks' stockings. My christmas was not a very remarkable though a busy day as I was in charge of a working party on the fortifications and with tape and line was busy

Enough getting my glacis properly shaped and my banquet of the proper height. Said banquet was the only one at which I officiated Eating a Christmas banquet and throwing it up are quite different things however and to have to do the latter without the satisfaction of the former is certainly hard.
     Our New Years was quite different as then we had our long desired brush with the Enemy. It did not amount to a great deal, though the whole day was an intensely exciting one. We were nearly all the morning slowly winding along the creek towards the ferry until the head of Gen Stevens' column appeared, looking as it emerged from the woods like a broad black ribbon with a glittering fringe. Then we landing and joining his force of which we and the N.Y. 47th were to be the reserve

started for the ferry where cannonading had already commenced.
Bombs from the gunboats accompanying us Kept whirring over our heads and bursting in the woods beyond but occasioned no response. At length a light fire from the line of skirmishers told us the enemy had been found, then a heavier fire of musketry, the bugles sounding the rally and a rather light fire of artillery indicated warmer work. WE had been pushing on at double quick and balls now commenced whizzing over our heads. WE were ordered to advance through some woods on our right and storm the battery from which all the enemy's fire came
     Their force as well as we could learn afterwards consisted of a five howitzer battery and about twelve hundred infantry, but the woods, in which they were, concealed Everything from us but the smoke of their guns. "One volley and then the bayonet" was the Colonels order as we entered the

wood, but "the best laid plans of' mice men (and generals) gang aft agley" and my limited experience has convinced me that battles are fought, not as they are planned to be, but the best way they Can be. WE soon found the wood utterly impenetrable by reason of vines and underbrush, so filing out into the field directly in front of the enemy we marched to about three hundred yards of their posish and sent the flank companies forwards as skirmishers to discover it and their strength more accurately. Balls were now whizzing over our heads fast enough and occasionally one would strike the ground in front with a heavy thud but their aim was very wild, and three men slightly wounded were our only Casualties. They were evidently getting our range however and we were ordered to lie down. WE did not stay there long. As soon as the skirmishers had reported we rose up and advanced but before

we had gone ten paces Captain Stevens galloped up with orders not to attack the battery as the fort at the ferry was already in our possession. So we marched to the neighborhood of the fort, stacked Arms and ate our suppers and as fires or lights of any Kind were strictly forbidden got ready to go to sleep. I rolled myself in my overcoat and had just found a nice furrow to sleep in when I heard the lieut Colonel Calling me and jumping up, found our Company officers were detailed for picket. Mrs Portington Says soldiers may sleep on posts sometimes but she Knows they can't sleep on pickets whatever they Say. Nevertheless I had hard work to Keep part of the detail from the N. Y. 47th awake that night although we were within gun shot of the enemy and a night attack was fully expected. Of course I spent most of the time going the rounds

of my posts, but nothing serious occurred and though a few secsh appeared to be watching us early next morning they evidently had no thought of attacking us WE reembarked before noon and by nine that evening were back here in camp again.
The only other variation I have had of camp life was a two days visit to Beaufort. It was curious though rather sad to ransack so many deserted homes. WE went through ministers studys childrens playrooms and young ladies' sanctums, played patriotic airs on secesh pianos and gathered huge bouquets of roses and camelias in their Gardens. My impression of the Beaufortites was that the men were chiefly given to Theological reading and brandy drinking, the ladies to hair dye and piano fortes (usually in wretched tune). At all Events

signs of these articles were very abundant.
     You cant be any more weary of our inaction than we are. It cant last much longer. Cavalry and some artillery have at last come and our regiment now has marching orders, that is we may go somewhere tomorrow and may stay here two weeks longer. I think our next blow will be in the direction of Savannah.
Except that several officers are sick we are in capital fighting trim. In drill we are far ahead of the rest of the brigade. Even Viele declares the difference astonishing and says he never saw our regularity and steadiness in marching equalled by regulars.
     On the whole we have had pretty jolly times here. Drilling and digging have filled up the time pretty well. The weather has most of the time been pleasant, we have had no dust for more than a month and have lately fared

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quite luxuriously for soldiers.
     What you say of your own half formed plans much interests me. I can't of course express an opinion in regard to the pig and bar business but hope you wont base your calculations on the probabilities of a speedy termination of the war. Such may exist but I cant see them. In fact it seems to me a bad sign that people are unwilling to face the prospect of a long war with its terrible expense. WE are likely to have a good deal of financial trouble yet it seems to me. Thus far the best generalship on the whole has been on the other side. The great forward movement has not yet commenced, nor any crippling blow been inflicted on the rebels. With all his talent And energy, M'Clellan's [i.e., Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan's] skill as a strategist and tactician

remain to be proved. I dont once doubt the end, but never have been able to think it, as has all along been stated, only a few months distant. I am glad our trouble with England is settled. WE should have been in an awkward scrape here, the British on one side, the Secesh on the other and all supplies cut off.
I intended to have written a note to Mrs Leavitt but it is too late I have dashed off this as you will see in a great hurry

Most Sincerely yours
Robert. S Edwards

P.S. A box of clothing long expected and a box of books for the soldiers from Kate Ripley have just arrived so I go to sleep well contented. Give my regards to your New Jersey friend.