Head quarters 114^th Regt in the field

                                                                                    near New Iberia Dec 29^th

                                                                                                                        1863

 

                        Dearest Cousin.

                                                            The welcome epistle has at length arrived and dear cousin believe me when I tell you that I was real glad to hear from you. well cousin I am well and haveing lots of fun. I am going upon Picket tomorrow to see what I can spy. may be I shall spy a Reb it is not much fun to be on Picket now 24 hours and have nothing but the bare ground for a shanty and bed all togather. now cousin for the news. in the first place there was a soldier of our Regt Co. C. shot yesterday at New Orleans for these crimes.

 

            1^st Disobedience of orders.

            2^d Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline.

            3^d Misbehavior before the Enemy./

            4^th Desertion. of all these he was found Guilty and sentenced to be shot the 28^th of this month which was yesterday. his punishment although a hard one I think a just one for he has done more than this which would not be proper for me to describe. our men went up to the Rebs the other day and exchanged Prisoners with them. one fellow that came back with them who had been a Prisoner describes them as destitute of every thing that a soldier needs, and says that they are thirsty after Greenbacks. they give ten dollars of their money for one of ours so judgeing from that they do not think much of their soap do you think they do cousin, he says there are not over three Hundred of them up here now. they have all gone into Texas. there was about 18,000 of them. they own up they are badly whipped and there is no use of their fighting any longer well for my part I dont know what in the D—l they are fighting for, but let em went I do not think their future is very clear. Uncle Abram tells them if they will come over on our side he will pardon them. may be there/ will some of of them come over especially if General U.S. Grant goes after them again. Cousin dont you think he understands himself about as well as any of them. I do. now cousin you must not be surprised if I make some mistakes for my old flame has not written to me in some time and I am feeling rather anxious on her account. I dont hardly know how to take it. is there not one around your diggins I can freeze to providing she does gin out. where’s Carrie Brown I think she was a pretty nice gal, but there it is again, probably she did^nt think ise a pretty nice feller. where is Mrs Morris the widow. do the best you can for me and I^ll remember you to the Darkeys. no doubt you^ll think I am getting on quite a strain but when the gals loose all their patriotism and discumfudle all a fellows calculations you cannot expect anything else. now for something else. the government is giveing all who want to enlist again as Vetrans a chance to do so. they receive 400. Dollars bounty for the term of three years and get a furlough home of thirty days. it is a good chance for those that wants/ to enlist but three years is enough for me. maybe you would like to know what I had for supper a New Years. I will tell you I had Oyster soup and pancakes. did^nt I go in. I think I did. well cousin the boys are teaseing me to come to bed so I must close. give my love, Respects, and best wishes to Uncles, Aunts, cousins and all, and never fail to write to your affectionate

 

                                                                        Cousin

                                                                                    Moke

 

P.S. Tell Bule to write to me

            also uncle Eligah and Aunt Rachel.

                                                            Moke

 

                                    Good night

Sid is well. I am much obliged for the stamp.

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