Carrolton Lousiana August 15^th 1863

 

Mrs M E Keller

                                    Deare wife I embrace the present opportunity to write you a few liens hoping they may finde you and the little ons in the enjoyment of good health. on the Eleventh of this month we left Natchez for this place wher we arived on the eavning of the 12^th it is foure mile from our Camp in to the Main City of New Orleans I was down in to the City yesterday I went down and back on the Cars for 20 cents there is a continuous Rowe of Houses from here in to the City it is at present an olde dirty looking place but is a large City I do not care about seeing it soon again but betwen here and there it looks nice Orange and Lemons are growing in almost evry lot and also that most beautifull Bush the Banana and loaded with that delicious Fruit the Banana Fish and Oysters are plenty in Market evry thing is plenty here and mutch cheaper than at Vicksburg or Natchez I was nearly starved out before coming here I venture to say at present there are fifty women and Boys in our Camp selling Eatables to the men Soda water with Ice in it is plenty and plenty of Lager Beer and Whiskey also Oh what a Country for good things I am geting well rapidly but that tramp to Jackson nearly killed me my health is not as good as it was last yeare. this summers Campaign has went hard with me. how long we will stay here I have no idea about it / it is supposed when we leave here we will go to Mobeale Alabama we have got down here among the Yankee Soldiers they put on a great deale of style and are dressed mutch better than our Boys but they keep quiet or our Boys jump on them and whip them they think us Western men are perfect devils more especialy when some of the Boys get too mutch whiskey aboard the most of our men do look hard after going through sutch a severe summers Campaign those Yankees look fat and hearty and as sleek as a peeled Onion you must make some alowence for what I may say about the Yanks for you are aware I do not admire them any too mutch

 

If Abe Johnston has not hauled that wood or is not going to do so get some one to engage you 20 corde delivered corded up at the House amediately do not fail the Roads will soon get impassable or nearly so and then wood will be very high like last winter get dry wood by all means get Hicky or Beach or sugar wood if possible if you see to it there will be no troubale about geting it if I was at Home I could engage it in two hours time be saving of your Money my expences at Home are prety heavy for a small family and no house rent to pay I and ame going to save but little money this yeare I have got considerable of Responsibility resting on me here and I expect to loose some money before geting out of the Service do the best you can. I am as ever your most affectionate Husband

                                                                                                            Sam J Keller

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