University Hosp          Nov 10^th 1863

New Orleans La

 

Dear Mother

            This week has been very plesant one for me for these reasons first that last Saturday night I received the box, and yesterday I also received two letters one of which had the bill of the box in it. I suppose you will be glad to know know that everything came as safe and sound as the day they were put in the apples and preserves were excellent as was the butter and tomatoes and grapes when I examined the box I took out the can of grapes and not understanding the way of opening the can I let one of my neighbors take it to see what he could do, but he didn’t either, but he just took his knife and rapped on the wire a little and the first thing we knew off flew the iron and the cover with a report like a gun. the reason for this was that the grapes had began to work a little and the can was filled with gas. but they were good and I had a good drink of juice. I have some of my tomatoes every dinnertime. which makes it go very well. the Dr. let me have everything that came it makes me feel very bad to see the poor sick and wounded men see me eating my nice preserve on bread and I cannot help giving them some. there has been a battle up on the Teche and our forces that fought got whipped pretty bad our side lost 5 or 600 prisoners besides killed and wounded but when our forces were reenforced we drove the rebels and took 200 of them we lost one cannon. they are bringing in the wounded, there are thirty-one in my ward and some pretty severe ones there are too. but it is a much better time to get wounded now than when I was as they have cool weather in there favor there mostly western men and belong to the 13^th army corps of Gen. Grant. the report is that six of the Rhode Island cavalry deserted to the rebels and told them how small a force there was and everything and before we knew it we were flanked by a force three or four times as large as ours but as soon as the rebs heard reenforcements were coming they “skeedadeled” but our boys made them pay dear for it.

 

I am glad to see that you received a letter from me and also my money. It’s the way they ought to fix all such fellows who are scared to go and fight for there country I like to see it. it ought to have been twice as much. I mean J.C. his sub, must feel funny to loose all the money stolen from him it is just as you say it is the worst thing. this bounty business. but suppose Father was drafted hadn’t you rather he pay the $300 than go. I had.

 

I am glad You and Mrs Trefethen has come to a treaty of peace I wish the South could and would do the same. I am also glad Cobbs was so kind as to call on you. I don’t believe he could gain much on you in the way of politics. I suppose that was that was the reason about the garden but I hope if it is God’s will I may be at home before this time next year. well I have given up getting my discharge cold or no cold as I think my leg will be as well as ever after a while. but the weather is very cold here now and my leg pains me some, not much. it seems to reamain just the same and it looks as though it would heal up in a day. but as long as there is eny pieces of bone to work out it will not.

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