Camp at New orleans L^ou                  

July 8 /65

 

Dear Respected Wife             

it is with pleasure I embrace the opportunity of writing to you in answer to yours of the 13 of June I received last night I arrived here yesterday was on the road 14 days from Johnsonville Tenn got through all right the 3^rd Division has come to Texas & the first Brigade of the first Division mooved off this fore noon it will not be long before we will have but what for I cannot tell but it is thought that it is a campaign in Mexico well if they can / make us go it will be all right there has a large number deserted already and it is feard a larg number yet will I donot know we can do if many more leaves for there is but handfull at best I have been tempted to do the same but I would rather die than to bring dishonor and shame on my self and friends but some donot care what follows so the geet away safe but I do but if we have to stay our full time out it will not be long a little over 17 months more but I donot have the idea that we will

           

Now Let I hope you will not worry on the account for I believe we are as well off here as any place we could geet it will be healthy /

           

I noticed in your letter that you had strong hopes of me being musterd out soon I am sorry your hopes are blighted it would be welcom nuse to hear it but such is not the case but if my life is spared it will in time

           

Let probably you would like to know how we spent the 4^th well we spent it on the boat very quietly got to Vixburg a little after dark but nothing going on there

           

I donot think you will be surprised when I tell you it is warm here at least warm enough to thaw in the afternoon I believe I never saw as warm weather but that is not all the country abounds in musquetoes and flies with out number / but to prevent them from bothering us we drew musquetoes bars

           

My health is good and I sincerly that you may fully recover your health

           

Jerome was well when he left here they have been gone some time are across the gulf ere this they are going near 200 miles back into the country I donot know where we will go yet but will keep you as well as can must close

am your ever loving

                       

Husband

Frank Ashley

 

love to all

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