Camp Grover Baton Rouge Feb 17^th/63

 

Friend Cha^s

                        It is raining quite hard and am oblidged to keep snug under my tent. Therefore I will write you a line and give you an idea of matters and things in this section of the state We are encamped on a rising piece of ground about ¾ mile from the City. I will state some of the prices we pay for articles that we purchase Tobacco $2.00 per llb. Molasses $1.00 per Gall. Mackerel N^o 2 10^c apiece Butter 50^c per llb. Cheese 30^c per llb. Raisens 50^c per llb Pies 35^c apiece Crackers 25^c per llb. Oranges 5 to 8^c apiece Apples 5^c apiece. Paper 12 sheets 25^c Envelopes 25^c per bunch. Pens 2 for 5^c. This is a drop to a more plentiful shower. It is outrageous for Soldiers / to be imposed in such a manner There is plenty of men in this City getting rich out of the Soldiers pocket I bought a dollars worth of Mackerel and brought them up to the ground and sold them to the boys. I made 50^c on my dollar. If I could have the privilege of buying and selling what I chose I would clear $20.00 a day from all expense The Measels are quite prevalent in the Regt. A large number of the men are in Hospital. Our C^o has been lucky so far. No cases of measels as yet. I have made out the discharge papers for three of our men who are unfit for futher Service. I have got a job on hand at present that will keep me writing some time. Our pay rolls five different numbers. It is no small undertaking I tell you

 

The Adutant read the sentence of three men in C^o K who deserted at New Orleans but were captured soon / after. They were sentenced by a Court Martial to 2½ years hard labor with a 32 llb ball attached to their leg by a six foot chain in Fort Jefferson or in any other Fort practible. I tell you Charlie that is a hard fare for those fellows I guess they wish they had remained in camp with the rest of us. They receive only $1.00 per month while under the sentence

 

We shall be likely to remain here our time out as many are sick in Hospital. When we left Bangor we numbered 962 men Serviceable We cannot muster 500 able for duty this day. The 26^th ME has been shoved rather hard and that is the cause of so much disability I wrote in my other letter to you that we had orders for Mobile. They have been countermanded. I heard this morn'g that the 28^th ME were going to Pensacola but am not positive about it being the truth 

 

            You must write as often as you have the opportunity and tell Ett and Em Aiken to send a line. Anything is welcome out here from home. Write me all the news. Tell me what you are doing and the rest of the boys at home You must excuse poor writing for I have got a miserable pen. My paper is rather bad but it is the best I can do.

 

While writing one of the boys came in in a hurry and caused me to spill some ink on the paper, giving it a bad appearance. Please excuse all imperfections. And I remain

                                                                                                                       

Your Friend

Ros. Sparrow

 

P.S

Give my best respects

to all inquiring Friends

Direct Washington      Ros

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

                       

In care of Lieut John R Gross

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