In camp near Goldsboro N.C.
March 28/65
My Dear Wife
The great and glorious campaign is at an end after marching through wind sand and rain and through the great swamp of north and south Carolina 6-7 days. It has been a verry hard campaign. We had to depend on the country for subsistance and some days we would have plenty and some days nothing to eat but we are through safe and have got comissioned and plenty of rations. It is by the way of Newbern. We are now in camp but I think for two or three weaks. Sherman is not the general to lay still long. Some think the war is at an end but I can see one more campaign and that will tell the story. Our next campaign will be for Lees army. We got a mail yesterday. There was four letters for me. One had the likeness in. I got hold of that first and I knew what it was. I couldent wait to get my other letters. I tore the envellope all to pieces I was in such a hurry to see it. I hardly knew what I was about when I looked at it. I trembled like a leafe. I was so excited. I never was so pleased with eneything before. It is the best pickture I ever see. Capt Sweet seas it is a splendid picture and so does the whole company. I never see you look so well before and little Johney looks so cunning and sweet and poor little Matie she looks as innosent as a lamb. I want to be looking at my picture all the time. I have put it in the old case. I will send the old picture home. I am glad you got the money all safe. You have paid it out. I am afraid you mised it for I dont much think we will get pay again untill our time is out. I will send you some money before we leave here some that I made in Savannah. We dont owe but one hundred now. I can pay that next fall and then we will have a home of our owne. You stated that Rast was in the army again. He done the wise thing to go in the ingerneere regt. He will come out all right. He dident get a verry large bounty. You say the snow is verry deep and cold weather. I like this climate best but I like the piersing winds of New York as I do Southern bayonets. I would like to live here in a time of peace. We are cleaning clothes to day. We need them verry much. I shal draw a new suit all through. Tell Sophie to write to me and tell me how she enjoys married life. I will try and write Uncle John a letter. My health is good and I hope you are all well. I found Jacobs letters. I must close. The mail goes in a fiew minuets. I will write often while we stay here.
Good buy Dear Charlotte
Charles Engle
Give the valentines to the children. Tell them I sent them.