14th New Hampshire Infantry

Item LTR-7563

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 5 pages, written in period ink.


Headquarters Post at Parapet, Louisiana
Near Carrollton

April 19th 1864

Dear Brother,

Have a little time to spare this lovely morning and will devote it to you. Here we are encamped just where the 16th were at one time. The Colonel commands the Post and I am his Adjutant. Post Headquarters is in a large house east of the fortifications a little bit. The house has a veranda on both sides that fronts the River and has some quite pretty grounds in front. Do you remember the place? It is a very pleasant place indeed. My office is on the first floor front and my sitting room over it. With a sleeping apartment in the rear. Besides I have a bathing and dressing room as well. So you see we are comfortable. Some 2,000 troops make up the Post. Tomorrow all have to go to work on the Parapet, which extends from level two miles towards the lake. I think we should remain here some time. Hope so at any rate. I was not much sick on the voyage but decidedly sick of being tossed about so mercilessly by the waves. We had some severe storms and came near to going down. I wrote the particulars to Father. We were 23 days from New York. Banks is doing something and is all right we think. The 12th ME Colonel Kimball has been stationed here for some time but are going home, most of them. Two hundred fifty are still here. 3rd Brigade, 12th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery (Colonel) are here, 12th Illinois Cavalry, our own regiment and a company of artillery. My duties are those of an A.A.G., although called Post Adjutant. But I revere my position. My health and strength are remarkably good. Just had a visit with Joe Decker and laid him on his back. I could dirty your clothes all up for you. But when the hot weather come on I shall sell out for old ones. Has Willie been home? I have not had a single line from any of the family yet and I left home some time back. It is now April 19th. I wrote from Concord twice, from New York twice, from Hilton Head once, from Key West and here written twice since we came here. Of course these last letters have not reached they yet. Are they sick? I expected to find letters at Newport News but did not. However a steamer is due tonight from New York so I may get something. How is your health? We found Hilton Head one vast spittoon of sewage and Key West a very pretty little area. I have not visited the City yet since the day we arrived. Shall look the place over when I get time.

Please write me as soon as you can. Give my love to Mary
Your Affectionate Brother,
Carroll

Direct:
14th New Hampshire Volunteers
Department of the Gulf