Camp Vermillionville

Tuesday September 1^st 1863

 

Dear Wife I will write you a few lines more to day I am enjoying very good health & hope this may find you the same I have just finished a letter to Edward Miller I have never heard from him nor seen him since I left home but thought I would write any how I have been tailoring this morning working on my over coat it is too large for me if it fit I would not take hardly any thing for it I expect to keep it any how as it is very warm & a good coat Such here are selling for twenty five or thirty dollars in texas they would be worth from fifty to seventy five we have to drill evry day but Sat about two hours a day /

 

Sept 2  Dearly Beloved wife I will try to finish my letter today I have no news of interest to write to you reports are generally favorable but very uncertain we have it here that Gen Lee has whipped them very badly in vir^g & that France & Spain has acknowledged our independence but these reports I am afraid are put out to keep the soldiers up & in good spirits reports also to the reverse of this we have various reports from Coopers Army some that he is at Ft McCulloch others the he is at Gibson yet some that he was whipped & some that he whipped them so I do not know what is the truth. I know that I am here subject to be moved / at any time. the Louisiana troops went down towards the bay a few days ago to day the Artillery are coming back all of our commissaries & military stores they are moving to Niblets Bluff & Shreveport some think we will go down towards the bay again I have not much idea about it my self there is a good deal of dissatisfaction in the Brigade here the men a great many want to go home & any excuse will do there were about 30 left night before last now from this Reg^t I want you to do the best you can & enjoy yourself some do not work yourself down but spend some of your time in reading &c. I send you my love & respects also the children & Jess & family & enquiring friends from your affectionate husband                                             

Thomas W. Johnson

 

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They are getting regular mails established now & I think our letters will go better Kiss the children & recollect yourself for me

 

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Clark More says he is able to do his share of the cooking yet & eating yet give Mr More & the friends my respects.

I am glad you got the Hdk I think if you will notice the price was one dollar instead of 100 I sent you some needles a few days afterward

 

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I have right smart paper such as this yours in love

 

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due 10

Mrs Martha E. Johnson

Gainsville Cook County Texas

 

From T. W. Johnson 3 Sergt

in Co. I Hawpes Regt

            Speight's Brigade

SOURCES