Baton Rouge Feb 6^th 1863

 

Dear Friend Charlie

                                    I just received a note from Father stating you were at home so I immeadeately seated myself and commenced writing to you.

 

How goes the times at home this winter are you having good times. Plenty of sleigh rides I suppose girls enough but no boys. I thought you was not comming coming home so soon, concluded you would remain away untill spring I presume you would not stay away from your Doxie. Oh. What a Charles How was old Brown in the Brig. A regular hoosier with his steronian voice he is by the Brig yet my letter states Write to me as this is received and let me know whare you went in your / voyages and what kind of times you had. Every thing is new to me

 

            We have thirty Regiments here with us and fifeteen more are expected every day I suppose there will be some sport before long

 

I saw Capt Heath of Bucksport when I was at New Orleans. I did not speak with him for I did not know who it was at the time.

 

Charlie how would you like to go out on picket duty one night, shoot a cow and bring her in next morning. We have got rather short of provisions just now and we are bound to detail what ever we can find. Anything that is eatable goes with relish

 

We left Bangor with 85 men fit for duty. We can only muster at present 55 able for Service. (This is in our Company) Three have died. 23 we left at Fortress monroe 4 at Hospital Station on the Miss. River / and have some in the Hospital here. Tell your Father if he was here and had to fare as we do he would lose some of his patriotism and begin to think that it was through Office Seekers (and those who are making their fortunes by the continuance of this war) that keep us in the state we are in. I tell you Charlie just my mind. As long as rich men's influence prevail and men & money can be obtained so long will this war last. You know nothing about it at home. The destruction of lives and property you have no idea of it We tear down houses and rip up things and think no more of it than you would to go down to the store and pick up a load wood. We camped about 4 weeks since on a piece of ground whare the bones of the men were sticking out of ground. The grave of one man came in the center of the tent. How would / you like to fellowship that.

 

We have just received orders to go to Mobile next week. just a devil of a job I tell you. pack and strap from dav to beshebe. 500 mile cruise

 

I will write soon as convenient again and relate all particulars You must excuse poor writing and composition as both pen and ink are very much the worse for wear I am writing this on my knees sitting across my bunk with a dozen talking and laughing. Half the time I dont know what I am doing.

 

Write soon as received and state all passing events. My best respects to your Father and Mother and rest of the family &c and as much for your self as you like

 

From Your Friend

Ros. Sparrow

 

Direct your letters                                           

to Washington D.C

26^th M^e Reg^t C^o H                                                       

care of Lieut John R Gross

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