New Berne          North Carolina 
         Sunday  Feb 12th  1865 
 
      Dear Wife 
I take my Seat in the pine woods  
on the sand near Newberne N.C. 
this pleasent Sabbath afternoon to write 
you a Short Epistle to let you Know that 
I am in tolerable good health and 
hoping this may find you well 
The last letter I wrote to you was while 
we was on Ship board in the Bay at 
Annapolis MD We left Annapolis 
on the morning of the 6th inst. and 
arrived at the mouth of the Harbor at 
Beaufort N.C. about noon on the 9th 
We lay out at sea 24 hours in a storm 
[crossed out] [it being] the sea being too rough for 
us to make the Harbor: the most of 
the boys [crossed out] [got] got well sea sick 
as the Ship would roll and heave
Some of the boys would lean over the 
railing and heave Jonah for all that 
was out others would be too sick to stan 
up and would lay down and roll with 
with the ship and vomit Some were 
Swearing others praying and some [illegible] 
ing they had died before he [illegible] went for 
a soldier; as for myself I did not get 
Sea Sick at all for I used precautionary 
means to prevent it and I come through 
all right; but there was one day that 
the thousand men that was on our boat 
Eat but little rations and chewed but 
little tobacco: they all got over their 
Sickness however and was glad they 
were not dead: I did not Know when 
I wrote you last when we were going 
but Suposed we were going to Savanah 
but before leaving anapolis we were 
ordered to Newberne it is thought 
that part of Shermans army is going 
to join us here from Savanah and 
make a raid into the interior of N.C. 
We landed off the Ship at Beaufort on 
the 10th and came out 2 miles and camped 
on the Bay and Remained there until 2 
O clock yesterday when we took the cars 
for this place 36 miles from Beaufort on 
the Nouse or News River Newberne is 
a mutch larger Town than I Expected 
to find and it is really a pretty place 
but the country between here and Beau 
fort is for the most part [crossed out word] low wet 
   and sandy the timber being nearly 
all pine: we have [crossed out word] heard nothing of 
importance about the peace movements 
Since we left Annapolis So we dont know 
anything about it but I dont look for 
peace for some little time yet but of 
cours I would not object to have it as 
Soon as possible on honorable terms 
We will probably remain here at NewBerne 
for Several days at least probably several 
weeks. I have not yet Rec'd a letter from 
you since I left Milwaukee for we have 
rec'd no mail since we left Nashville 
when you write again Direct to 
the Co and Regt.  New Berne N.C. 
our mail I supose has gone to Savanah 
and I think it will be sent back 
before long. I hope So at least for I 
am verry anxious to hear from you 
and to Know how you are getting along 
The weather is quite pleasent to day 
though somewhat windy; It is clear 
and the sun shines warm and has 
the appearance of Spring and I see 
Some citizens preparing for Farming 
though this is not so warm country 
as Southern Miss or Georgia. We 
have had a long and tedious Journey 
and I am glad that we have found 
a Stoping place if only for a short time 
pease to write soon and often and 
may heaven protect you from your 
Ever Affectionate Husband 
Thos J Davis 
     To L M Davis