25th United States Colored Troops - Florida

Item LTR-6797

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 3 pages written in period ink.


Headquarters 1st Brigade
Barrancas, Fla
Oct 28, 1864

Dear Brother James,

As I am at leisure this morning I will write and inform you of the condition of things in general and myself in particular. We have been out in the country raiding for the last four days, met with no remarkable adventures. Captured a few of the Rebs. Another expedition is now absent in another direction, it is expected back today. Everything moves on quietly and easily. The troops at Mobile Point are doing nothing, the Navy is doing nothing and in fact the Department of the Gulf appears to be doing nothing. They may come to time during the winter months and accomplish something. But I hope they will not run things into the ground the way General Banks did on the Red River. He furnished the Rebel General Dick Taylor with the finest wagon train in the United States, and came devilish near losing the whole gun boat flotilla. Speaking of the gun boats, the man who built the dam across the Red River is now in command of this District. His name rank is as follows: Brevet Brigadier General J. Bailey (Joseph Bailey). I hope the Senate will confirm his appointment. He is one of those good energetic pushing men who always succeeds in accomplishing what they undertake. General Asboth (Alexander Sandor Asboth) the former commander was an antiquated Hungarian, he was a brave man but too old, had too many dutch ideas and taken all together was not much of a general. He is lying in the hospital from wounds received at Marianna. Asboth was a lover of dogs. His headquarters was crowded with them.

I am in the enjoyment of my usual good health and spirits. Everything is lovely and the goose is elevated and prudent.

The last time I wrote I enclosed duplicates of receipts from the commercial and Adams Express Companies for two hundred and fifty (250) dollars, which I hope by the time this reaches you will have come to hand all right. Give my love to Mother and the family. Hoping this may find you all in good health. Believe me to remain,

Your Affectionate Brother
George Mahaffey