64th United States Colored Troops - Surgeon

Item MED-9827

Description

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


Office Medical Director and Inspector of Freedman,
For the Department of the Tennessee and State of Arkansas
Vicksburg, Mississippi

March 7th 1864

My Dear Sisters,

Allow me to inform you that I expressed by Adams Express, the sum of $300 on Saturday last. I received the sum of five hundred of the paymaster. And for the fear of an accident, I dispatched it in part immediately.

I am now under orders for Davis Bend; but shall be in town in the course of a week or two.

I am sorry to inform that my trunk has not been heard from. What is the matter that you don’t let me know whether you have forwarded it or not?

Tell Phelicitous I should like to hear from her once in a while. Please let her do a little of the writing.

I wrote a letter to Mr. John Halstead, some time since, but I had to direct it from memory. In consequence of which I may have made a mistake. If you have the number of the street, be kind enough to let me know. I received a letter from Mr. Daniel’s brother dated December last, in which I am informed that he (Hiram Daniel) was then sick and desired to see me. I have written to is brother to let him know where I can be found.

If you have a desire to visit the South, you can do so. They are now charging large sums of money on the steamboats coming here and returning from Vicksburg. The trip to Vicksburg and return will cost you a hundred dollars each, I have no doubt. Yet, if your desire is strong enough to run the risk of coming down here and returning, I shall do all in my power to make your visit agreeable. I can do a good deal for you in this particular which will be as freely bestowed upon you as it will be acceptable on your part. I have thought that it will be paying a good deal for a little. In a military and historical sense, the trip would be interesting. Yet all can be seen, after the war is over, better than now and under more favorable circumstances. Should you come, I should like to go with you to New Orleans. But I am not certain that a pass could be procured. Besides, I might not be able to procure a leave of absence for so long a time.

If you should conclude to come, you must prepare yourselves with dresses of the latest fashion, so that you will be able to appear as well as the best of the ladies here, if not better. The people live fast in the army and judge a person by the quality of his coat, or the style in which it is cut.

I am an old bachelor, so regarded by the military, so that it makes but little difference how I appear. But when my sisters visit me, I expect to let the military know that they are some. You must be prepared for horseback riding. We have as much riding here as in Cincinnati if not more.

I must have another pair of pants and a vest. The pants with gold cord, like my first ones, on the seams. The vest of light cloth, for the warm season, not yellow.

I shall be able to send you some more money soon. I have an order for $160 more. Will have to go to Memphis for it in all probability.

Yours,


T. J. Wright
7th Louisiana Volunteers of African Descent