January 22 1863

 

Frank I must write a fiew lines to lett you know wheare I am I left New Orleans yhesterday on the railrod for Brashear City Eighty miles from New Orleans it is A nise plaice hear it is on the New Orleans and opelousas and grate western Rail Road I saw horis wood as I come oup he had shot his fingears on one hand most off with his pistol the 114 regt is to gard this railrode from Neworleans to this plaice the rebels hold the other side of the river on Berwick Bay as it is called, theare is fore or five gunboats here now two Rigements Be sides Comp A. tha had here five Days A go A Battle with the Rebiles and sunk one of theare gunboats kild 20 took 30 prisoner tha say tha will drive ous a way from here within six days we are ready for them Eny time. thear is thousands of ackers of sugar cane not gathered yet the planters have gone and left it Nigers to numors to mention Frank if you here Eny man or woman talk abolition or against slavery cick his ass for me for I have seen through this war Enough to sattisfy me I want you to write to me every week if I git cild I have got A friend will write to you and send my things to and A nise ring I have got wear it as long as you live then give it to Mary A Delias Boy you must make him a present for me. it cost me a shilling A day for extreys to live on that ceeps me alive Eny one hear without mony fairs hard I tell you I have mon A nough to Bear my Expensis Every one for himself and the Devel for the next I have sent mony in Evry letter to you I wanten see wither you have got it then I will send you some more for I have got it with me and I want you to have it for it may Be the last words from me we cant tell for I might Be cild to morrow or to Night on pickett we cant tell for thear picketts are in sight of ous on the other side of river or Bay good By to all Eliza Mary A Delia Frank and all the rest

 

                                                Asa Holmes

 

                                    Direct your letter

                                    Asa Holmes Compa, A, 114 Regement

                                    N.Y.S.V. Neworleans, La

                                                Banks Expeditions

 

                        Send me the oxford times

 

                        Tell sister I would like to see her writing once more tell her not to Bring the Boy oup partial towards me Because I was Drove A way from Home

 

                                                                                    Good by to all

                                                                                                Asa Holmes

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