June 2^d, /64

Baton Rouge La

 

My Dear Sister:

                        I arose quite early this morning and was intending to write you before breakfast, but had merely set down the heading when Corporal Avery, our cook, came and told me breakfast was ready. I obeyed the summons immediately, for I am not of the opinion, as is most of the male portion of our family, that whatever is done before breakfast is so much gained. I think we have no business to keep a cook waiting, unless it is necessary. But Danl. S., unfortunately, must go with holes in his stockings, for he will keep his wife waiting, (if he ever gets one), so long with her meals that she will have no time for anything but kitchen work.

 

            I had just finished the above when / I was detailed to take charge of a fatigue party for unloading the "Ohio Belle". She was loaded with commissary stores. At 10½ o'clk it commenced to rain, and at 3 o'clock it rained so hard that we were compelled to quit. It is now about 8 o'clk P.M.

 

            I promised to answer your letters some time ago, if not too busy. The fact is, I've been very busy. It is no easy, nor is it a short task, to make out the Muster Rolls of a company and the monthly returns, both of the Co itself, and of its clothing & equipage, when you are behind hand one month; for then the task is double. While on the last campaign we could not make out our papers, for the simple reason that we couldn't get the material. I am done with last months papers, but have not yet touched this month's. I am ahead of most of the others, too. But, I have managed to write home every week. And when that is done, I flatter myself that I am doing / well. I have been rather unfortunate with my company Returns. An Officer is responsible for the property of the Co. he commands, and if he loses any of it or disposes of it in an illegal way, he is charged with it and the money value of the same is stopped on his pay rolls. This week I have reced notice that I am to have eight guns and five sets of accoutrements (or the money value thereof) stopped on my pay rolls. I understand the difficulty and can right it, but fear not before next pay day. If I can't right it at all I shall be the loser of $200.00. But I don't fear this, and if I may not be in time for the next payment, I shall the next after, when I will draw the whole amt. I haven't yet secured another check from Major Brigden, the paymaster, in lieu of the one I lost. I am sorry for I fear Pa will need it, and can't / get along without it. I have a letter from him explanatory of his lawsuit with Bacon. H didn't tell me how he thought it would go, whether in his or B's favor, I trust not the latter. We are deeply enough in debt now, without further trouble. Bacon is without any principle, and would swear to a lie at any time. When I get home I will tell him what I think of him, if he gives me the opportunity. Has Mr. Prugn paid his rent promptly this year?

 

            Tell Pa it was the 19^th Kentucky Regt. which was captured entire at the battle of Mansfield. Some escaped, of course, but when all the field officers and nearly all the line officers & men of a Regt. are captured, it is considered an entire capture. They were brave men in that Regt. Col. Cowan was ordered to fall back but being in the woods he did not know the true state of the case /

 

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and sent back word that he could hold his front. That is what the 23^d did, and every other Reg. did; we whipped the forces in our front. We saw them get over the fence about 50 yds distant, & saw them going back. As the canister would mow them down, our boys would yell "Set 'em up on the other alley". But it was the flanking force that made us go back. Oh! what a pain a soldier feels when he had to leave the field before a superior force. Well, such is the casualties of war. Even the great Bonaparte was at last compelled

 

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We hear, today, that our old "Hero", God bless him! Whom we all love, has gained another great advantage by turning Lee's right flank and compelling him to retreat beyond the South Anna. But with it comes the sad intelligence of the sufferings of Co A of the 6^th. They are our Brothers and we mourn with them the loss of their brave leader Howard Prugn. I know he was brave for Byron his Bro. was a fearless lad.

 

            You mustn't place so high an estimate on my talents. All I have is through hard knocks. You estimate your own abilities too lowly. As to the meriting my favor in regard to the books, I shall be highly pleased with all your attainments, if you will not confine yourself so closely to your studies as to injure your back.

 

            I am sorry that George and Jennie have left our home, but am glad to know he is in a good business. I can't write you more to night

 

            Your Loving Bro. Robert.

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