No 20

Lanfear Plantation May 19^th 63

 

My Dear Mary

                        I am seated in Aunt Hannahs parlor this afternoon with pleanty of time to write but nothing to write about as I have received no letter from home since the 27 of April writen the 15. I have herd it said that no news was good news so I trust these few lines may find you well as I am and happy as you can expect to be with a loved one so far away. I do not think it is becaus you have not wrote that I donot get letters the mail that left New York on the 6 of May has not arrived the one that sailed the 9 is in and some of the men received letters from her today but I live in hopes the one with my letters on bord will come some day and I shal get good news from you. have you got the money I sent last and what have you done with it 

 

Aunt Hannah has just caut a pair of mocking birds and hung them up in the cage I made for her and the old ones are cuting up a great fus about it under the stoop Gen Banks has ishued an order today that all men belonging to 9 months Reg^t that will re enlist for one year will receive $50 and those that may enlist for two years $100 and be immediately discharged from the Reg^t to which they now belong and be put in any Regt they may choos in this department and receive a furlow of 40 days in the corce of 6 months and furnished transportation to New York and back free of charge. now here is a chance for a man to serve his country and get some money what do you think of it and what do you think I had better do. ask Father and Mother what they think about it and write immediately and send your and their advice and if you think I had better stay write whether I shal stay 1 or 2 years 

 

The musquitoes that we have complained so mutch about are nothing compaired to the flees we have now you would be scared if I should tell you how large they are and it minght be of some damage to you so I will say nothing about it but I can tell you it is a fine thing to have to walk all the time you are out after sundown to keep the musquitoes from bleading you to death and when you are tired of that get under the bar and the next thing you know there is a drove of flees takeing their supper out of your hide. oh these Louisiany low lands low are charming places to live in and I have fallen most hatefuly in love with them. I have great bloches all over my sides and limbs as large as a coper cent made by the varmits bites and they make me feel as if I could tare every minght of hide off but have patiance Uncle Jo had Patiance 

 

I think I have wrote about enough without I can write something better the fact is I have nothing to write about I intend to have this leave on the steamer that sails the 21 there is one sails the 29 and 31 I am in hopes I shal get one from you before that time and I will try and write a better one but for this time good night pleasant dreams and sweet repose on the bed under the clothes

           

From your devoted Edwin to my Dear Mary                                    

 

May 20

P.S. I am on guard today and feel firstrate there is a cool wind from the north I hope soon to be there and breath it every day. we have the news of a battle at Fredricksburg when you write let me know if you have herd from David and John Charles. Good by

 

[upside down top margin]      Kiss Hattie for Papa

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