Baton Rouge La Sept 22^d 1863      

   

Dear Father & friends

                                    Your kind letter of Aug 25^th arrived one day last week but as I had written on the 6^th of Sept. I have been in no haste to answer yours and now as usual I have nothing to write, but you no doubt are heartily tired of this story. We have been having very cool weather for some days. Since the 19^th. we predict you have had a cool time up in America. I slept comfortably under 3 woolen blankets, our blankets all supposed to weigh 7 lbs. (I have a good cotton mattrass.) the natives were wearing their over-coats the camp darkees had on all the cloths they could muster.

 

quite a number of our Regt are getting sick from the effects of the change of climate myself among the rest. Something like cramps & diarhea we get no vegetables, and government rations are not all that is required for good health in this climate—"When this cruel war is over"—

 

            There is considerable excitement about Corps d Afrique. Several of our line officers are applying for commissions in the Staff of Nigger Regts. A great many men have become so indolent in this 3 years they cannot bear the idea of going to work again and a good commission good pay an indolent life in prospect is a great inducement to them. Men like Jo Pettingal that were a curse to their friends / too lazy and indolent to work at home. men who had tried to get some profession by which they could eke out an existence easily are just suited in the army. they find no trouble in shirking duty if fatigue labour is to be performed they are sick, ague, diarhea, rheumatism &c &c. is their excuse. and who was ever able to tell when a soldier or slave was sick. if a detachment is going off they take the case under consideration. if much marching, short rations some fatigue labour is in prospect then they are sick, but if it is a sort of scouting party with some show for fun and getting some stray pigs chickens &c. they are very anxious to go, and those who stood the blunt have to give way. with an officer it is very much the same. he can plead with those detailing him either to go or stay. the quiet law abiding soldier or Officer who does his duty manfully and waits for his rights never gets them he is always imposed on. those who never ask for anything are not very apt to get much in the way of favors. I know men & officers who at home we would not deign to treat with common respect by their importunities have been promoted to positions no modest man could get no matter how worthy. Since I came in the service I have never tried for a higher position I have been entitled to several 2^d Lieutenancies by rank, but I was as well satisfied where I am, except the pay, and then I was not willing to fight hard for a position I did not want merely for the honor of rank and a few dollars per month. 10 months will now soon move round and I think I will leave the service for those who love its charms. there is much about it to admire & to amuse, but I am growing tired of it. I have learned too much of it & its corruptions those army contractors, army followers, &c. / have the best time make the most money. A soldier drawing $13 per month no matter how good a schollar he may be is detailed as clerk for some officer, perhaps Quarter Master, Commissary, Adjutant Hospital and various Offices. he is not allowed any extra pay. if he would rather clerk than soldier tis well. while I know quite a number of citizen clerks getting from $60 to $75. to a $100. per month from government. Soldiers feign sickness get (buy a) discharged and immediately go to work for government My extra duty man, John Ashley, that stays in the commissary with me, has been offered $75. per month if he will get discharged as issuing clerk at a Brigade Commissary So it goes. all these things going on here before our eyes and the big swindle in provisions Our flour all culled, our coffee ¼ coffee the rest peas beans peanuts. as our coffee is now all roasted & ground when we get it it comes in barrels & boxes. Sugar is hard but sweet, assid vinegar creole rice, poor—rosin soap. Army followers often Secesh are allowed to buy and sell and speculate while a soldier is allowed to buy sell or own nothing, but enough. I received a letter from Deb dated Aug 30^th her and Frank appear to be enjoying themselves, good health plenty of work I just recd a letter from Jane Crist Aug 30^th they are all well. Uncle has a job of work in Evansville. James has joined the army (address) Co. "H" 65^th Ind. Mounted Infantry 2^d (Hobsons) Brigade Cavalry Division 2^d Army Corps, via Glasgow Ky

 

200 of our Regt are at Brasheur City again or beyond there they started with an expedition some 3 weeks ago for Sabine Pass. the gunboats encountered a Rebel battery at the Pass. the 2 boats out of 3 got aground and we were obliged to destroy the machinery and surrender them. / the ballance of the expedition returned to Brasheur City & New Orleans there was several hundred mules on the Miss Steamer Laurel Hill the sea wind became to rough for her and she had to throw them all overboard. She returned with her chimnies blown down. Gen Herron of the 13^th Army Corps (Grants Army) came down to N.O. organized and went up to the mouth of Red River had a fight after landing and is on his way to Alaxandria where they will meet Gen Dick Taylor I cannot say. there is no move on foot for Mobile at present

 

We have not heard from Charleston since the 15^th those gunners have a good chance to practice. it certainly must be a matter of time as they can be supplied with amunition & reinforcements. here it was different. we hear Rosencrans has his head quarters at Chatanooga, Bully for Rosy. he was born under a lucky star, but alas poor Banks when they are making up the jewels, his will be a pewter one.

 

The rebs are beginning to look blue, they see how small a piece of territory they hold—just take a map—draw a line from Mobile to Chatanooga thence around Richmond and know that we occupy florida—and—expect to have Charleston. they have but little teritory left to raise tobacco on or for Jeff Davis to conscript niggers on, but here is the end of my sheet. As to that old likeness, every one here say they are good. they are the best I ever had. you need not look for the boy that left you 4 years ago As to bringing a good rifle would be hard to do.   Write as often as convenient to Your Son                

 

RHCrist.          (1^st Ind art.) of course

                                                Baton Rouge

                                                            La

SOURCES