Carrollton, La.

Sept. 23^d 1863

 

My Sweet Sister:

                        You are indeed very kind to me in writing so often; I have two of your letters before me unanswered. One under date of 2^d inst, (perhaps I have answered this one), the other under date 7^th inst. I will partly answer them this evening if not wholly.

 

            I wrote you a short time ago about my breast; it is still lame, doesn't seem to get any better. Yesterday, most of the day, I had a slight fever and have not felt very well today. Tonight I discover I do not feel much like writing hence I think I shall either have to quit altogether or write a very / short letter, and as I know you don't want a short one I think it best to wait until morning. It is too late to mail now hence there is no use of finishing to night.

 

Thursday morning. I have just come in from battalion drill and feeling very well today I will finish my letter by dinner time. I remain in our same old camp. All the other troops have left except our Division. We are remaining to protect the place until more troops shall come. General Burbridge has returned and instead of commanding the Brigade commands the Division so we have at last got rid of old drunken Smith at last. Burbridge is a regular old Putnam to fight. He is as brave a man as ever walked the face of the earth. Since we have got out of Kentucky he is not so strict about our taking the negroes / In fact, he is glad to see us do it. We all love him and there isn't a man in the 23^d but would fight to the last for him. He said to one of his staff, when Orderly Pearl heard him, that one regiment has to be left out of the Division, to garrison New Orleans; "And" says he, "Guppey is the man". So you see our prospect if a regiment is to be left. I meant to act as Provost guard instead of to garrison. What nice times we shall have if we can only get the position. I could write you a letter every other day then.

 

            You express great affection for me. You know I don't doubt your affection in the least. Mine is just as great for you. I should certainly like to surprise you, by coming home at some unexpected moment. But you mustn't look for me / at all, until next spring. I think I can get home then without much trouble. But I hope we shall be nearer than we are now. The war may be closed by spring and perhaps not in two years. If Gilmore can take Charleston which we all think he can do we, perhaps, can go home by next summer.

 

            You say the girls are afraid of me, and think if you were a man you would want them to fear you because they would think you smart. What is the use of having them think you smart unless you are? It never is any satisfaction to me to be credited for talents I do not possess. I think the girls are rather behind hand in this respect. There is nothing whatever to fear in me in this respect. But a certain Lady who though I smiled in /

 

[front margin overwritten]

 

utter contempt when she first spoke to me, now thinks a little better of me. I have never received Miss Prugn's letter. I shall indeed be the happiest individual in the world when the war is over and we are permitted to go home But this will come at the end of three years any how.

 

Felix is still with me and proves to be one of the most faithful men I ever saw. He still wants to go north with me but says he doesn't like cold weather very well. He says he used to plough when he was a slave, but I want him at home to do work about the house, such as taking care of the cows, horses &c that is to do chores. He says he would like to saddle that Charley you speak about so often, for you to ride. I ought to teach him to read but seldom can think of it.

 

[verso overwritten]

 

I guess this is all I can write this time. I rather wish George and Lydia had not married for I think they will not live happily for any length of time. George has for some time past, followed his old habit of drinking and was on a spree with Judge Orton. He will surely be a confirmed drunkard when the first bad luck crosses his path. I hope I may be mistaken. When Scott left Baraboo, he took a drink with George, and George said "Tom this is the last drink I shall ever take." This promise has been made by him too often to be steadfastly kept. I have written to him, however, as his best friend and will endeavor every manner possible to keep him out of the sinks of degradation. Since I have learned of his marriage I will write him immediately, congratulating. If he knows the world thinks something of him he will be the more likely to become a good man. I send you all the love of my heart. It is a Brother's love sincere and lasting. My love to my dear Father and Mother. I know they will be disappointed in my not coming home. I would resign but it wont do for me to back out before other young men. I will have as good a name as any others. I remain as ever Bro. Robert.

SOURCES