St Louis U.S.A. Gen Hosp

                                                            New Orleans, La March 17, 1864

 

Dear Mother & all

                        The Evening Star has arrived and I have not received anything as yet but think there must be something for me and has been sent up to Regt. But having nothing else to do I thought I could not kill time any better than by writing to you, and hoping this letter will find you all in better health than when I last heard from you. My health continues very good and my leg is about well. does not trouble me at all in my walking, feeling first-rate always holding on to the great maxim of keeping up good courage which I have found as good as medicine and which I know was what helped me when I was laying helpless on a sick bed in the hospital. I try to teach the same to all my fellows who are feeling down hearted.

 

There is no news of importance from these quarters. but business seems to be thriving. I know I used to think when Father got that barrel of New Orleans Mollasses that it was great thing. but never for once thought that I should walk, or go where there is such large quantities as there is here and the same place. I went on pass day-be-fore yesterday and though I would take a stroll along the Levee and see the shipping and Steam Boats with my friend we hadn’t gone far when we brought up amongst some hogs-heads of sugar and the first thing we did was to take a stick like a spoon and dip out of a hole a eat sugar which was very good. then we went a Mollasses barrell and tried the mollasses and found to be the nicest of syrup. I suppose that Freddie would like to see all the Steam Boats coming up the River like they are here. all along the Levee is crowded full of them of all sizes and kinds from a mud-scow to the large Ocean Steamers that brings us our letters and things. while on pass I went to the Parish Prison to see a friend of my partners and was very thankful that I was not incarcerated in such a building with its iron bars and doors. but it is almost as bad where we are now a man cant get out unless he has a pass as there are guards at every door to stop you. I hope soon to get away from here and never see them again. The last news I heard from the Regiment was that they were up to New Iberia and had I think been in a skirmish but aint sure. I have about done soldiering at present I am a foot cavalry man. and I guess shall be so for sometime. Everyday somebody get their discharge and I wish that I could see that time come myself but at the longest I havent a great while to serve, and doing as I said in the beginning of my letter (that is) keeping up good courage the time will seem short when I shall once more return home to those I most love a cherish. I see my sheet is growing short so will close giving my best best wishes to all those who once thinks of a poor soldier so far away from home I have not head anything from Mrs Trefethens hope they are well

 

                                    I remain

                                                you affectionate Son

                                                            Reuben

 

(I wrote in a hurry excuse the writing)

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