Camp Groce

Hempstead Texas

Oct 6^th 63

           

Dear Brother,

                        I have an opportunity of sending & avail myself with pleasure. Yours of July 31 was recd. but I see no prospect of our release as yet. Now most 10 months in confinement & what a glorious privilege is Liberty when I get home I shall know how to prize it.

 

we have lost Dr Cummings Lt Bartlett & 2 of our Regt since we came here. but now only 110 are sick out of 450 prisoners, a fresh / lot being taken at Sabine

 

            Chas Knowlton, one of Mr Heards chums who was a keeper at the jail & used to play the guitar with you, is here & was taken in La. he sends regards to you

 

My health is good & I return thanks to My Heavenly Father for his special favors to me ever since my capture & trust through his mercy that I may yet see you again on earth, as also my dear Father & Mother

 

            hope you all arrived safe at home & are all well. think of me & see Gov Andrews & do all you can to hasten our exchange write to Genl Ludlow to remind him that we are / here I hope to get exchanged for some of the Texas officers that our government have

 

            Lt Newcomb is not very well, has the jaundice but is about & all others are about but not well.

 

our prisonship is telling on our constitutions & we are not the healthy looking men as when you saw us.

 

            See to my Life Ins Policy as it is out Nov 1^st & have it renewed for Hattie.

 

Love to all

                                   

from your

Affectionate Brother

Alfred

 

write me, care of

Provo Marshall Gen N Orleans

           

I wrote you Sep 2^nd & recd yours of Feb 23^d & 24^th also July 31^st /

 

Jo Parker is quite feble with disentary but if we get away soon will go with us Say to his wife that he is better than for 2 months past

She lives 41 Lowel St

 

[in pencil] 56 Officers & 350 men here

have burried 8 in all

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