May 18^th 1863            

 

              My Dear wife I embrace this opportunity of writing a few more lines to let you know that I am well at this time hoping these lines may find you all in the enjoyment of the same great blessing we arrived here at this place yesterday which is some four miles from Grantico on red river eighty miles below Shreveport by land some 200 by water we came down by water I do not know how long we will stay here at this place the enemy is at Alexandria with there gun boats they started up the river but she was so low that they could not come various reports in regard to their number I expect we will go on down soon to meet them and probably will have some warm work to do all the forces come atable have been ordered here I understand that Colⁿ Martins reg is on the way here also that cooper was ordered here but would not come we left Stepens & Alexanders reg^t at Shreveport some think they will go back to Cooper we were very much crowded on the boat coming down I think I would enjoy riding on a boat very much in the right time Red river is not near so wide down here as up there but deeper we have got down where the trees are covered with moss I received a letter from you on last saturday by the kindness of Mr. Wheler I was very glad to hear from you but sorrow to hear of you being sick but hope these lines may find you well again I was sorrow to learn that my colt was dead but such things will happen & we cant help it as to that place I would like to know who has been medling themselves with it I believe the title is as good as any titles or will be when it is paid for I have a pattent for it I wish it was sold and our debts paid you have been working like a hero since I left. I am afraid you will try to do more than you ought I expect I will stand a chance to get my clothing here I lost my newest shirt since I left or rather it was stolen I had wore while we were camped at Shreveport I did not have it marked and therfore cant get it 

 

you wrote they had a school in town and you did not know what to do about sending Eddy to school I hardly know what to advise you that is to high to pay for schooling yet he ought to be learning that would be twenty cents a day for tuition would it not better on you to spend that much of your time with him evry day and have his help the balance of the day than do entirely without him all the time that would be equal to one fourth of your time and it would rest you while you were doing it

 

we have orders to hold ourselves in readiness to march at any time for Alexandria we will start I expect in the morning by water again they say the Feds are falling back towards the missippi you wrote that my horse come safe and money you did not say any thing about parson Hamel but I suppose he had not got home you did not date your letter I sent two hundred and three dollars by him you will do with the horses as you think best

 

I have written you several letters since I left home I wrote one to Col Montague while I was at Shreveport you will write to me often as it is the greatest pleasure I have is to hear from home & read your letters you can send by mail at any time Direct your letters to me to Co I Hawpes Reg^t Spates Brigade by the way of Jefferson and I will get them we left Ben Scruggs at Shreveport sick tell Eddy & Johny to be good boys till I get home & kiss willie for me I will write again at alexandria I have nothing more to write to you now more than that you will put your trust in God and pray that we may soon meet again to part no more until we meet in that blessed region where parting will be no more so remaining your faithful loving Husband I subscribe my name

                                                                                               

Thomas W Johnson

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