On board Steamer

Saxon Monday Dec 22

 

Dear Charles

            we are now on our way down the river toward Galveston Texas

 

            What a strange roundabout way to get there. we came up to New Orleans on Wed 17^th & laid in the steamer till night & then sailed up to Carrolton 10 miles & went ashore on Thursday & went into camp in a very big swamp just such as the country all around us is made off at night a heavy fogg / comes up & it is very cold nights.

 

there was a grave yard next our camp & I saw them burry some soldiers & the water comes so near to the ground that they had to hold the coffin down with sticks in the water till they could put on the dirt it's rather rough aint it. we laid 2 days in camp & orders came to pack up & go on board the same boat as soon as she had got her stores aboard all of what had been taken out the day we arrived.

 

we went on board on Sunday. Yesterday / I went down to Orleans where I went ashore & looked round. all was still. not more than ¼ of the stores are open & it looks like a Sunday in Boston.

 

there are lots of soldiers coming up every day & all are going up the river to Baton Rouge to make an attack on Port Royal where there will be a big fight. we are going to Galveston & are the only Reg that go there at present. there are no troops there & we expect a fight to get on shore although the gun boats are there. but I hope I shall be spared to come / home again all right last night I went on shore & went through several plantations with 6 of our officers. Saw them at work grinding cane & making sugar. got some fine oranges & beautiful flowers

 

the pilot is off & must close.

 

send this to NBPC

 

let him read it if you please

           

direct to Galveston

Banks Expedition

                                   

your Alfred

 

send Paper

 

remember me to all friends

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