12th Connecticut Infantry - Wounded at Port Hudson, LA

Item LTR-8203

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 4 pages, written in period ink.


New Orleans, La
May 5th 1862

Friend Tom,

Yours and Robert’s letters came to hand April 28th and rec’d none other than a cordial welcome. Should have answered immediately, but was at that time enjoying a certain well ‘taint good to eat, but something next to it, known as the mumps. I had them pretty stout; was a good mind to send you a dose as I did of measles, but on second thought concluded to wait till you had fairly enjoyed the first to its fullest extent. I suppose you are slopping over the ducks right and left about now. Well I’m coming home in the fall to go cooting again with you. Coots are delicious birds. Tom, I expect that when you write me again that I should also receive by express some wedding cake, that you would write me, Ellie I’ve stepped off. But in this I am disappointed and shall have to throw it, cake and all among the things hoped for, but are not. At any rate, I shall soon begin to think you ain’t very smart on a goose question. I have had lots of news from home of late. Ike, he’s running away with Virginia, Ned Roach has stepped with Hellen Lester, numerous other weddings all daily expected, others momentarily looked for, etc. etc. But what gets my pelt is how Ike makes out to spark Virginia without getting into a political slop with Uncle Joseph. I wish you’d watch him some night when you are not similarly engaged to report to me the result.

You see by the heading of this that we are now in the Crescent City. We reached here May 1st and instantly landed. This was in the afternoon. That night stayed on the wharf and the next day took up quarters in Lafayette Square near city hall, where we stayed till today, when we embarked on the Mississippi and are now laying at anchor about 7 miles up the river. We shall probably encamp here for some time. The Jeffites were not over rejoiced to see us, talked pretty hard things at the Yankees, but dared to go no farther than this as the city lay at the mercy of our gunboats, which could burn it in just about 15 minutes. Of the taking of Fort Jackson and Independence, you have probably seen a much fuller description than I could give you, through the papers. We might possibly had a finger in the pie but the river was so high that the land around it overflowed.

I don’t know as I think of much else to write this time. I shall write Rob soon. You must keep your fiddle tuned up to the proper key and keep the girls straight during service. As you are now Mr. Chorister, professor of stringed instruments and etc.

I am pretty well, so are the other boys, excepting J. Ball and G. Ball who are rather indisposed. Give my respects to the girls, the same to yourself, to the old boys. Write soon. Direct:

12th Regt, C.V. Co H
N. E. Division
Ship Island, Miss.

Yours truly,

A. W. Avery