Letter from C.W. Woolen to his sister in Montgomery County, North Carolina from a Confederate Camp 15 miles below Kinston, Lenoir County, North Carolina concerning his movements with the Confederate Army across eastern North Carolina. Transcription is written in the order the letter was written, not in the order shown in the images: Camp fifteen miles below Kinston N.C. Feby 19th 1863 Dear Sister We left Kinston last Monday about noon marched 14 miles that evening halted one hour after dark at a place as near no where as I have seen lately stayed there night and the next day, received orders to be ready to march at daylight the next day, started early and walked the whole day, moving a distance of 20 miles to march it commenced raining about 10 o'clock and continued until late that evening this being a low and flat country we found it being disagreeable marching indeed. I waded up to my knees in mud & water 2/3 of the way besides getting wet from the rain I never was as wet in my life and was compelled to sleep on the ground. I expected that I would not be able to walk this morning but I feel very well, put on dry socks and got perfectly dry before retiring. The service that we are on is the hardest of all I was officer of the picket guard night before last up and walking nearly all night and then march all here yesterday. I don't think I ever was as near worn out before. I will have a great deal of picket duty to perform as I am the only Lt. on both companys Capt Scales has no officers with him at all, and I am the only one with Capt. Rankin. The Yankees have been here and destroyed almost every I found it to be hard country to live in. I haven't got anything so far except cornbread & meat. We haven't a mouthfull for dinner to day. We have sent out to get something don't know whether we will get anything or not. As the way of the world says this is a bad world to live in to buy or borrow you get a ? I will tell you I am getting very tired of living such a life if I could get out and stay out honorably I would do it quick. You ? not or supposed to hear of a letter ? this way at any time. The Yankee picket have been here several times lately, and never succeed in capturing our pickets will concluded by hoping that the Christian people of the south will pray earnestly for peace, so that the sufferings of the soldiers will cease. They have a hard time and will have while there is no peace. I think that you ? letters ? to Kinston. I ? this will find you all well. ? Brother C. W. Woollen