Fort Esperanza Pass Cavallo

Texas Jan 19^th/ 64

 

My dear Col

            Thinking that perhaps you would like to hear from one of your Old Officers I will write you a few lines I am at present in command of Fort Esperanza I have 560 men in the Battalion and all doing well in fact we are called the best Regt in this Corps /13^th/ Capt Fry is doing well, he did not at first like the idea of my being in command and laid it to influence my passing as Major and he as Lieut. he says nothing now—but expects soon to be Major. Lieut Briggs is a different man from what he was in the 3^rd I am well pleased with him. Lt. Wheeler does very well he has lost all life & spirit lately he has done better he is at present in charge of a gun on picket. Your Cousin Capt Joel Metcalf is a good officer and has the best company in the Battalion [torn] on the whole I have [torn] 

 

Capt Joseph Metcalf came to New Orleans with us I was much pleased to meet him, as I always shall be to meet any of your family. Capt Shaw just before I left passed the board at Washington as Capt. he had a reexamination and passed as Major of course that made him junior to me Gov Smith was trying to promote him, I have not as yet heard the result. Some Sergeants from the 3^d that went North for examination had not reported but were enjoying themselves in Providence I do not know who they were but heard of them being there Corporal Adams of Co. "I" passed out why, I can not tell, as he done very well while on duty with the Regt. on Dutch Island. Sergeant Devolve formerly of Co. G. passed as a 2^d Lt of the 3^d degree I would not make him a Corporal he is a dirty slovenly ignoramus he is not with me This is not the Dept. of the South by any means. It is hard work to get anything here or in fact they seem to think that we do not need anything in Texas. My Battalion has [torn] complete [faded] Gov Smith done [faded, torn] the Government [faded, torn] himself [faded, torn] 

 

I was very glad that Frieze & Day had got their due. And pleased that George Metcalf was Major. For God Sake never promote Strahan. Corporal Adams told me that Strahan owed borrowed money to a large amount to the enlisted men of his Company and put them off from day to day with all kinds of promises. He may be a good Officer but in my opinion he is a Swindle. he borrowed $50 of me to pay me next day. that day has never arrived and from what I heard of him never will. I dont know but that it is worth $50 to find him out. I suppose that Major M.'s boot trod on Capt Gould's sore toe. Where is the 48^th Goulds backers? Billy sits here by the fire the same as ever. he sends his respects. I should like very much to hear from you how the Regt is doing and all about the Officers can you not do something for Sergeant Bryan Co M? My regards to your Brother, Col Brayton, Capt Gorton & all friends

                                               

I Am Col

Your Obt Svt

[torn][Joe J. Comstock, Jr]

 

My address is

JJCJr.

Commanding Fort Esperanza

Pass Cavallo   Texas.

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