8th Vermont & 73rd USCT - Medal of Honor

Item LTR-323

Description

3 page original Civil War soldier's letter, written in period ink and war dated.

Camp Parapet Carrolton La May 7th 1862
Dear Brother Alfred,
Thinking perhaps that you would want to know my whereabouts and what we are doing down here, have made up my mind to write you even if you don't answer my letters. You have of course heard or will hear and read all about our operations at Forts Jackson and Phillip and of taking possession of New Orleans long before this reaches you so I won't have anything to say about it. I had this pleasure of being with the expedition as clerk for General Phelps and am now in the AA General Office, which gives me 40 cents per day for extra duty. Good living and but very little to do. I had a good look at the Crescent City and a great many of its inhabitants who, I think, feel rather "down in the mouth" to have General Butler take possession of their bully St. Charles and plant a few brass pieces belonging to a Vermont Battery with men from the same state to man them in order to keep the peace - Ward Beecher’s idea you know. We will have seen all that I wish to in that city. We are now encamped in a very pleasant place. The rebels anticipated our arrival, for they left us some very fine guns, well mounted, and good entrenchments, nearly two miles in length. Weren't it kind of them to have so much feeling for us Northern men who they knew would not be able to work in this climate? There are two small fortifications across the river, deserted of course, for our gun boats knocked them into a "cocked hat." They say that this is a very healthy location; in fact I know that it is a very pleasant one, and I wish the rest of the boys were here to enjoy it with me. I suppose that both of the Vt. Regt. will join us soon as they are in this brigade. By the way, I had some of your favorite berries today, blackberries. Much larger and better than those we used to get at New Port News, and I believe the Musketeers are too, (large I mean) in fact they are so large and have such an irresistible way of presenting their bills that there is no way of putting them off, so I shall have to put off writing and attend to them until morning. I don't think that under the circumstances I shall have any trouble in keeping awake until morning. When next you hear from me I hope it will be from Baton Rouge.
From your brother Harry C. Nichols
PS Address your letters as before Co. F. 8th Vt.'s Reg. Ship Island My best respects to all the good friends
H.C.Nichols