New Orleans Louisiana April 15^the 1864

            Mrs M E Keller

 

                                                Deare Malvina it is with pleasure I write you a few hasty liens this Eavning and to inform you that I am well we arived at this place last Eavning but remained on the Boate untill this afternoon when we went ashore and are Staying in the City in an olde Cotton Ware House and is not a very nice place to Stay in how long we will remain in the City I know not but I think not longer than a week. our army up on Red River has had a Severe Fight and has lost a great maney men Several Regiments that we used to be with are nearly all killed or taken prisoners poor fellows my heart aches for them as good men as lives on Earth or did live they wer Western men but under the Command of Yankee officers I wish we was out of this Department of the Gulph

 

I received a letter from you to day dated the 3^rd of this Month you say it is the third letter but is the first I have received Oh how glad I was to heare from you I have reade it over Several times I hope I will soon get the others. it is at present nearly Bed time most of the Officers are runing out in the City and the Boys are jumping around making all kinds of noises in the Building. but it is more Sadisfaction to me for to Set down and write to you than any thing else I could get at as I write I can imagin I can see you and the little ons lying in Bed my deare how I would like to be with you this night and my deare little Children tell them I think of them bothe day and night and tell Emma I have not forgoten that Dress tell Samuel to be a good Boy and / we will have a good time when I return Home again kiss my little Ella and Caty for me and tell them I saide for you to do so for me and that when I return Home again I will allways stay with them that I will go no more to War

 

you State you have forgoten wher I left that article I left it with Samuel Dailey Mr Harbaugh promised me to wash those Aple trees on the Farm get him to do it about the First of May give him plenty of Soape there are a few large trees East of the House them he need not wash. it is about time to turn the olde Sow out but you must feed her so that she will come Home when you get out of feed let Sam go to the Mill and get a little Shorts you did not say any thing about geting that Money I sent by Bill Angle I am glad you was pleased with that Album I will as soon as I can get you some nice Pictuers I will do so you must get your own also taken and the Childrens. do as you think best about making Garden but I do not think it will pay for you to make but a little

 

Give my Compliments to Mr Cook and Lady I hope to be Home next Winter to get another Swig at his Currant Wine

 

As I write I can heare the Watchmen running up and down the Streets and I have just hearde the Report of a gun or Pistol this is an awfull place of Vice and Wickedness and always has been the City is full of Women of ill fame and of all collors you have no Idea how terrible a place this is I want to get out of it as soon as possible. Good night deare one I must go to Bed or at least lay down on the floor. yours

                                                                                                Samuel /

 

            April 16^th 1864

the mail will soon leave so I must close up those few liens to day is a Beautifull day I am very buisy all the time. I have just Received a letter from you dated the 28 of March you Say W Angle has not give you that Money whitch is Fifty Dollars but I have no doupt but what you have got it by this time the News from Red River to day is our Army has whiped the Rebels Severely in an other Fight the Report is it was a terrible Fight we will heare more from there probaly to morrow I purpose on writing to you often as I can this is letter Number 10 since I left Home please Number your letters and then I can tell if they all come to hand I think that man will get on the Farm in time. no more at present from your devoted Husband

                                                            S J Keller

 

                                    N.B. direct your letters to

                                    the Department of the Gulph

                                                                        SJK

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