Hawpes Regt May 21^st 1864

 

            Dear Wife knowing that you will be anxious to hear from me after the important events that are transpiring here now I will write again that you may know that I am still in the land of the living & in the enjoyment of very good health I started you a letter on the 18^th inst in which I gave you an account of our fight at Mansura it now falls my lot to give you an account of another fight had on the 18^th inst we were camped on Bayou deglaze about 15 miles from Simsport on the Chafalia about 10 Oclk we were ordered to march in the direction of Simsport the way the enemy had gone we marched about 10 miles where we came up with the enemy the Cavalry & Artillery had been fighting all morning when we came up the 15^th Alexanders & Stevens Regt with Colonel Grays Brigade of Lousianians were led to the attack our Regt & the 17^th  Texas were held back as a reserve they went in the Lousians on the right drove the enemy back but on the left they out flanked us & were to heavy for us our men had to give way with heavy loss after they had run a piece our Artillery opened on them & drove them back again we were ordered up & went up till our men fell in behind us but not close enough to fire on the enemy our Brigade lost 22 killed 96 wounded 93 missing Alexanders & the 15^th Texas lost the heaviest our regt lost none the most of the missing were taken prisoners I expect altogether we lost 300 killed wounded & missing amongst the killed we / regret the loss of Colonel Stone he was killed in the action the enemy lost from what I can learn about the same we did in killed & wounded but no prisoners our men held the battle ground & buried their dead but still they had the best of the fight they have now left crossed the chafalia & are on the Mississippi I think they will leave now I do not think we will have any more fighting to do soon but there is no telling I have no idea what will be the plan of opperations now therefore I will say no more about it now it is the general opinion there will be an other order soon furloughing more men if so I think I will stand as good showing as any body but you had better not look till you se me as I cannot promise myself any thing these times now I am in hopes these lines may find you all in the enjoyment of health & spirits & plenty to eat & wear and a lively hope of eternal salvation so enjoy yourselves as you best can I am in hopes you are getting plenty of milk & butter now we have no room to grumble at our fare at present considering our chances we get plenty of meat & corn bread sometimes bacon & sometimes beef sometimes sugar & molasses So I will not write any more now give my love to you all & to enquiring friends if any so may god bless & protect you & finally save us all in heaven is the prayer of your affectionate husband

                                               

Thomas. W. Johnson

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