Camp in the Field May 17^th 1864

 

            Dear Wife I will write you a few more lines this morning yesterday we had quite a lively time for a while the evening of the 15^th we learned the yankees were on the Marksville prairie burning up the town we were marched out to the edge of the prairie near Mansura in the night & lay there all night next morning about 6 Oclk our pickets opened on them with small arms in a short time the Artillery opened on both sides & our Division was led out on the prairie in line of battle to support the batteries which then were pouring it into them in a line of a mile in length & them at us they continued the fight with Artillery for three hours until their infantry began to advance on us we could see them very plain & very plainly to that they out numbered us largely we only had about 2000 besides cavalry & Artillery I expected to get right in to it the canon balls were falling all around us but our Generals thought it best to make / sure of a good thing & led us off of the field in good order Artillery and all there were none killed in our division Some two or three wounded the Cavalry lost some men killed & wounded we marched about 6 miles from the field of battle where we camped for the night Dont know what damage done to the enemy our cavalry are fighting them now we can hear them there is orders to march I wonder which way we will go

 

4 Oclk P.M. we have marched about 8 miles down the bayou towards the enemy they passed here this morning going towards Simsport I expect we will follow them so as to harass them as much as possible they burnt up a crib of corn here they will be likely to cross the Chafalia at Simsport I am glad they are getting out of here it is very dry here

 

I have received a letter from you since I wrote the first part of my letter it was N^o 10 April 9^th I was very much pleased to hear from you sorry to hear that you was not in good health I am in hopes Matilda will soon get well & you & her may enjoy yourself some I expect you must look fine in your cotton dresses but we must be thankful to get any thing while this war last So give my love to all & receive a share to yourself & children give my respects to cousin Ellen & inquiring friends so recommending you to the care of our kind Benefactor I remain your afectionate Husband T.W. Johnson

 

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this leaves me in very good health

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