Camp near Pattersonville

                                                                                                            Sept 21^st/63

 

            Dear Cousin Labe.

                                                You cannot imajine with what pleasure I seat myself this cold night away out in an old cane field in a little old rag Hut with nothing but a continual pelting of Drums to console me. I answer your ever welcome letter which I am happy to say found both Sid and myself well and enjoying the comforts of a soldiers life which are oftimes very few but sometimes very cheering. well cousin we are upon the move again somewhere but perhaps we may get nowhere. we left Berwick Bay yesterday afternoon at One Oclock and marched to where we now are a distance of five miles. how long/ we shall stop here I am unable to say, but probably not long as cold weather is fast approaching and already the nights begin to bring sleepless hours on the account of their coldness. Cousin it makes us want that extra quilt we used to get at home but Aunt has gone away and Uncle Samuel thinks the one Rubber Blanket sufficient our force as near as I can learn numbers about 50 or 60 thousand a part of them being western troops. I think we are going into Texas, for this reason, about two weeks ago there was an Expedition fitted out and sent around the coast to Sabine Pass at which place we were calculating to land and march to Galveston, but after an engagement of two hours we lost two of our Gun Boats and were obliged to return as sickness was fast/ making its appearance amonst us, and we could land nowhere short of the place from which we started. I had much rather march than go upon Transports for it is a hard matter to get enough to eat and drink where there are so many, while, upon the march you can get plenty in the shape of chickens, Hoe cakes, sweet Potatoes, and scornful looks from the Secesh Gals which in return we give then the (Hie) John Brown, and Susy cant you come. we hear the Rebels are fortified up at New Iberia about 60 miles above here. if so there will probably be work to do ere long. we received news last night that Charleston was taken but it may be only a rumor the same as before but I hope for the best and speedy termination of this wicked war, for God knows this sunny South they tell so much about has no charms for me, but N.Y. has./

 

you probably will think I am getting homesick or discouraged, but I will tell you (not any.) I never have seen a homesick day, but I want to be free and go when and where I please with out a pass from an Officer well cousin my candle is almost burned out so I must close distribute my love out among my Uncles, Aunts, and cousins, yourself included, and write soon to your Affectionate

 

                                                            Cousin

                                                                        Moke Delamartes

 

P.S. Excuse all mistakes and poor writing and write soon to

                                                                                                Moke

                                                                                    Good night

                                                                        I’m too numb

                        Direct the same as before.

 

            When this U spi

            just remember Eye. (wrote it.)

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