Thibodeaux                                        

July 2^d 1863

 

            Dear wife I embrace this opportunity of again writing to you to let you know that I am still well and doing very well at this time hoping these lines may find you enjoying the same blessing I wrote you a letter last Sunday while I was at the bay in which I gave you all the general news which I hope you will receive in due time we are some 50 or 60 miles from N Orleans yet about 30 from where I wrote to you last we have had some of the warmest weather I ever felt then we marched on the railroad wher it was thick tall timber on each side & thick under growth which made it it almost insupportable we are about 2 miles from a little place called Thibodeax (pron) tibado & about 30 from Fort Donelson on the Missippi River our troops attack Ft Donelson & were repulsed & fell back some 8 miles the yankes have their gun boats there our cavalry forces took a fort some five miles from this place Several regiments of our men were badly cut up Colⁿ Lanes & Philipses from [faded, stained] were badly worsted but they took the place & held it it is generally thought that  Banks's Army is pretty badly used up it is also believed here that we have a fleet of 28 gun boats below Ft Jackson I think there will be an effort made to take new orleans before long Since we have been here we draw crackers & pickled pork of the best kind & yesterday we drawed half pound of coffee to each man all furnished by Banks of course if we take N Orleans which I think we will I think we will get plenty to last us a good while & he Banks is a good quarter master & furnishes his men plenty to eat & wear we left all our clothing at the bay only what we wore my clothes if we have no misfortune I will be able to get here at at a reasonable price 

 

            From what I have heard of the yankees they were very much mistaken about the negroes dow here they expected to find them living more like dogs than humans but instead of that being the case they live as well & are fixed as well & better than a great many in the north they have in the most of cases as good & better houses to live in & better fixed in them than you & the most are to day yet notwithstanding all this the most of them went off with the Federals as to the prospect of peace I dont see signs towards it we have been very successful here & if we should take N Orleans I think it would have & great deal of weight towards bringing about peace. I want you to write to me & let me how you are getting along & how the neighbors are doing generally Tell Eddy & Johny that I want to see them & think they are good boys & will learn a great deal while I am gone Kiss Willie and do the best you can if this war dont end soon there is not [faded] of me getting home soon but we must hope for the best & put our trust in one who will make it best for them who love & serve him write how Jess is getting along & give them my well wishes &c. I will send you in this a Silk Handkerchief which you will accept & use as a token from me it has been damaged some but I happend to have a chance to get it & got two they cost me $100 which is not much these times you know I have nothing more of interest to write now so will close my letter by sending you all my love So no more at present                                                                                                           TWJohnson

 

            Direct your letters to Washington La Co^y Hawpes Reg Speight's Brigade

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