Quartermaster's Office.

Camp of 29^th, Wis. Vol.

Shreveport La. June 16 1865

 

Dear Sister Martha,

                                    To day has been one of my mending days. Pants, stockings, coat &c each have had its share of attention. Though I did make a little distinction this time. Instead of beginning at one end of my ward-robe & working my way through until I saw everything serviceable I made exceptions upon this ground, that, probably I had not got much longer to wear my blue, and I rendered serviceable only enough to last me as I thought up to our donning of the citizen's raiment. It was a pleasant thought that perhaps the next time some of these clothes would be cared for it would be by your hand. Such is my confidence in the prospect of the present that I believe the next mending some of my clothes receive will be at your hand. A little reading to my mending has nearly used up this day. It is too warm to be very active and the weather causes a lassitude & sleepy feeling. Probably June is the hottest month south. So I am told & my experience seems to confirm it. During the past week I have been busy making out my reports for May. I even have not found it convenient to take a stroll, or visit the town except once.

 

            We are encamped only a mile from the heart of the village and among scattering trees. The land is nearly as rough and broken as any we have seen South, so it almost reminds me of my own State. There are no attractions here. Nearly all of the Rebs not residents have been paroled and gone. The people here take a very humiliating view of their case. Their general tone is "We are thoroughly whipped and we ask you to have mercy upon our desolate homes and pitiful persons". It is truly pitiful to see them lament over their condition. And I think there is much / truth in what they say, for I think it will take many years to obliterate the traces of devastation the Northern & Southern armies have made. But the citizens and soldiers here are very civil and decorous. Hardly the least disturbance has occurred or the lisp of a harsh word. We find ourselves from some cause terribly shut out from people generally. The only mail we received so far is a few scattering letters. Not even newspapers give us an occasional visit. So I have not had only one letter since here & that was from Nel. Riker. He has invited me to meet him at our house about the first of August. I am in hopes of accepting the kind offer. I should enjoy meeting him much, as we both have spent most of our soldiering in the same Department and would have many a chat over incidents of our life here. I wish he could have his faithful horse there, and I my tripping "Peggy", as there we could enjoy many a horseback ride. I shall expect if home once more to take many a ride of this kind over places I roamed in childhood. Of course I shall not bring a horse with me, but think I shall fetch home my horse-equipments. From this intended visit of N— I judge he has become more than ever attached to our house. I cannot say that I object to such, of the two I guess I favor it. I really don't know much about him personally, but I must say all his dealings with me have been of the honorable character.

 

            He has arose under conflicting circumstances to a post of honor in the Army, and to a good standing, I think, in community generally, which is deserving our respect. I hope he is not given to bad habits, doesn't drink or swear, in fact hope he is agoing to be a Christian, if not one.

 

            Nothing certain has happened this week from which we can determine how long we are to "soldier it". An application has been made to be mustered-out, which has got to go to New Orleans & back. That document has been gone several days—long enough to be in N— and it will take / about a week in returning! so about a week from this we will know what our fate is. Everybody expects we shall be mustered-out and so make all arrangements accordingly. I am so certain of it I shall venture to tell you to direct all letters after the receival of this to Aztalan & in care of Sam De Merit.

 

            You may expect me as early at farthest as Aug 15^th if we are mustered-out any time before Aug. 1^st. And if we go out about June 30^th I think I shall be home about Aug. 1^st. You know we shall have to spend a few days at Madison before we disband to get our pay &c. Then I must visit relations at Aztalan which will take some time. Then if there is time I should like to visit Mark & Amasa, and perhaps my classmate Marshall & wife. At New York I shall want to stop a day or two, and several days at Boston. By the way ask Father & let me know in your answer to this if Frank Smith is in New York now. It seems as I think of our prospect of getting home that once with you I shall hardly want to leave the house for a month. These last four years have been such a conflict with the cold & cruel world, one's affections have met no sister, no brother, no Father, no Mother upon whom they could have free scope. I have been obliged to satisfy the noblest feelings of the heart as best as I could in letters.

 

            Accustomed to the frowning face of the world I have learnt I think to take matters as I find them and accommodate myself accordingly. I hope you will find in me a brother of more judgement, more patience, more love, more of all that is good. Such I have aimed to cultivate and cherish and it cannot be that four long years—most—has not improved me some. In my last letter I spoke of what should be my next move after returning home. For fear you may not get the letter I will again request you to all think of what you think I had better do next. I will say that, though / I have some notions in the matter still am undecided; and do not intend coming to a decision until I shall see the West a little and obtain your wishes if you have any particular wishes to express. I wish it to be understood however that I propose to do what I believe to be for the highest good of all concerned—that is strictly my duty. I shall endeavor not to follow any desires for my own good or gratification, if I see it conflicts with my duty. I hope with divine support to be willing to deny myself for the sake of duty. Such should be the principle upon which everyone should bases his conduct. We live not so much for this world, as for eternity! hence let us shape our course wholly with reference to this grand result, knowing if we are right all things shall work togather for our success.

 

            But it is getting late & I must close up. Nearly every light is out and only the whistling frog, the rushing of the wind among the trees & low talking is heard. My health continues very good. Although the weather at midday is of the hottest kind I stand it well and do not experience any rush of blood to the head. The health of the troops seems to be good as usual. I have directed all communications for me from Washington to be sent to Montpelier so if any come open them & tell me the import of them in your own words or as near as possible. You will please keep them safely until I arrive, and mark on the envelope the date when received by you. I think I will drop a letter to Uncle E— soon as it is some time since I wrote. Do you remember the brown cambric or salesha bag you sent some stuff in to me? I have filled it with cotton & made a pillow of it to day, so I have for the first time supported that piece of luxury in the Army. As I expect sweet dreams of home on it I guess I will retire & not dreamily write more.

                                                                                                           

Much love to you all,

 

Your dear brother

John

 

[margins]

June 17^th Noon. We expect an order this p.m. to be mustered-out of the service. We intend starting for home Tuesday next the 20^th If we succeed in getting started so soon I shall endeavor to drop you a letter at Cairo Ill & then when we reach Madison Wis.

 

June 17^th Evening. Have received orders to be mustered-out immediately. Shall start 20^th or 21^st for the North—Good Gooder Goodest

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