New Orleans July 14^th 1864                 

                                 

            Dear Father

                                                I believe I wrote you a few lines about the last of June. I am not writing now because I have news or to tell time, for I am just awake having lain down to rest and fell asleep. My health is very good although it is so very hot. We are now moved down to New Orleans. A history of our trip might be interesting to you but verry monotinous to us moving on a crowded steamboat We are not permanently located. that is we are to move in a few days into more commodious quarters. We expect our stay in the city this time will be short but an idea struck me a few days ago while talking with Capt Hinkle, our Old Quarter Master. Owing to the state of green backs I thot perhaps we might make a trade to better us both, if I recollect you have 2.80 S. and a 40. I forget how they lay, is the 40. so you can sell it without deranging your farm. How much is it worth if improved & how much—I do not know when we will be paid again but if we get paid anyways soon I can raise $3. or $400. Please make some proposition, allowing what you have of mine in your hands to be counted in. I make this proposition on the supposition that you do not need all the 200 acres and I have spent money enough in the past 3 years. / When a person has money in his pocket he can always find plenty who need money and he is too apt to lend, and often that is the last of it. Please let me hear from you soon

 

            I have recd no letters in some time, tis about as bad as Texas

            I have no time to write answers so perhaps tis as well

            My QM Sergt is about to loose his eye,

            My Clerk belonged to a Co left at Baton Rouge,

            My Commissary Sergt is green in the business,

            My Forage Master is               "          "          ",

            My Wagon      "          is a very good one but a notorious scounderal,

            So I have my hands full, at present.

 

Your Most Obt Son

R.H.Crist

SOURCES