Houghton Civil War Letters

There have{ been} been rumors that we are going to be removed from this Department but I do not think there is anything in it they are taking away a good many troops from here Heckmans brigade has left and within a few days there have been several regiments come down here and are now awaiting for transports to take them away.

The first { ? } Reg't of Infantry I believe is in Newbern and I some other reg't came with it but what the name of the others I have been unable to find out. If you know any thing where Mr. Hayward is I wish you would let me know for I should like

to write to him I wrote to his wife a few days ago but it is not time yet to get an answer.

I have not yet had any cause to regret enlisting for three years but tell Charley I wouldn't advise him to come any way I have noticed that those that are sick nearly all are of his build while there is but one or two in the whole Battalion that are sick that are of my style of form.

We have no chaplain consequen ty on Sunday except so far as idleness constitute one and we want you to remember us on that day in the house of prayer it strengthens us in the cause in which we are engaged men that

Direct to Co "C" 2nd map[ Hw'y] artillery Fort Heckman Morehead City N.C.

have grown old in wickedness drop silent tears when they hear from some kind friend perhaps a pious mother that they were remembered at home; I am afraid however that I am wearing you with this long letter but I do like to when I get it down to talk a long while with you.

If you have not sent my box yet you { ? } me a army cap and some woolen stockings my size for a cap is 6 3/4 but if you have it is no matter for I can get along without if you have not sent it you need not for two or three weeks. But I will close now Please give my regards to Mrs Warren and remember me to the rest of inquiring friends

Yours truly E C Houghton

Fort Heckman Morehead Citty Nov 24 1863

Mr Warren

Dear friend I received yours of the 7th a few days ago and since then I have received two papers a Congregationalist, Ploughman. and a tract by the name of a Prayer for the Oppressed I thank you very much for them I am always glad to see the Congregationist for it reminds me of dear old New England where the sabbath is kept holy for I am sorry to say it is not and indeed can not be kept so in the

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Army I have not been to church but once since I enlisted it being the first time {time scratched out} and only time I have had a chance reading matter no matter what it is is always gratefully received in the army. I have no news of any consquence to write at present except that Gen Butler has arrived and taken Command his headquarters being at Fortress Monroe he has been around here a few days inspecting the defences of Morehead Citty and Beufort and Fort Macon also the Hospitals located here and Beufort