Da Crow's Pt. Texas,

Jany 27^th/64.

 

My Very Dear Sister:

                        On the evening of 19^th inst our brigade received orders to reconnoitre up the peninsula and to take with us six days rations. Noon of next day found us marching in compliance with orders. We proceeded up 52 miles and to within eight miles of a rebel fort. We halted and Genl. Ransom went aboard one of three gunboats which had kept with us thus far as a guard. We then proceeded to within shelling distance of the fort. The 13^th Maine Regt. went by land to within four miles of it; the gunboat threw three shells into it. But one or two rebels were seen, although I have no doubt that many were there, but dare / not show themselves for fear of our gunboats. After thus much had been done we started back. We reached camp on Sunday evening, having been gone four and a half days. We found, when we returned, Lt. Stanley, Lt. Atkinson and Capt. Bull. They had returned to the Regt. the evening before & they are well. A good many of the boys, who were exchanged, returned with them. Zepheniah M. Palmer is the only one exchanged in our Co. Col. Guppey and Capt. Sorinson are still in N.O. Col is not yet well of his wounds. He has 20 days leave of absence and will go to Madison. I suppose it will be arranged, when he comes back, so he can command one of the Brigades of our Division.

 

            But the exchanged prisoners were not all I found when I came from the reconnaissance. I found two letters from you one under date Dec. 20^th & / the other Jany. 3^d. It had been two weeks since I had heard from you and I was thinking more of letters than of anything else.

 

            And I will smile on you, ever, if it will make you happy. I am sure that I am willing to; but I suppose that I do not smile very often, although I am seldom conscious that there is not one there, on my face, all the time.

 

            What is the reason that you have not danced very often of late? Is it becoming unpopular? I shouldn't object to any young person's going to a dance twice pr week, if the dance continued no later than 9 or ten o'clock. It is a pretty accomplishment, and one which will do anyone much good, to dance well. I'd rather be a good dancer than have a thousand dollars.

 

            At the time Pearl left the Regt. it was believed by many that we would go to Memphis, but I didn't believe it. / I knew the money would get home safely by Ellis. That man doesn't know how to be dishonest. He is one of the most conscientious I ever saw. I think if Pa goes to Portage he will find the $100 there.

 

            I knew that Pearl would be a perfect gentleman while with you. That is, he would appear to be one. He is just as far from being a true one, or a moral young man as any you will find. There is not a particle of manhood in him. His only redeeming character is that he is a good soldier. A night or two before he started for home he was as drunk as a fool. He takes well tho' at first sight. And this is the reason I sent him to recruit.

 

            Savage must be green for thinking Pa could buy such a piano. When we get our debts paid we may talk about it I think I can manage to buy you a /

 

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good melodeon before long. Yet don't depend on it. You hadn't written me that you had taken the little boy, Henry, who was with us. I know him very well. He came to us at Pt. Gibson He is a smart lad but very irritable. If Pa will threaten to make him leave it will hush him up quicker than any thing else. Whipping will not do him any good.

 

            Sergt. Alexander thinks if you had been in the army as long as we have you wouldn't fear so little an affair as an examination. I reced the catalogue you sent while we were at Algiers. Alice is still at Sun Prairie. One of her letters was waiting for me when I got back. She writes splendid ones. She had an attack of the cholera, but is now well.

 

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Please save the enclosed scraps for me 'till I get home. R

 

Cases of small pox come down in our Regt almost every day. Capt Tolford, who had it first is well, and drilled his Co. this A.M.

 

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I, too, have many letters to answer and must try to write three more today. Hence must close. If I had none at home whom I love and who love me, I wouldn't care to live, for anything but for the mere love of existence

 

With my whole heart full of love I am your loving Bro. Robt.

SOURCES